Youtuber Gary Bembridge shares his concerns about Princess. Let the debate begin!

[CineGraphic]

I've been watching Gary's videos for years, and prefer them over most other content creators, many of whom focus more on themselves than the actual cruise.

I think he makes some good points, but none of them are deal breakers.

 

https://youtu.be/2KyapIom-0w

 

 

[mom says]

I saw the video. I thought he showed the potential pros and cons in a balanced way. And I also think that those factors should be weighed for any cruise on any ship, no matter what the line.

[Bgwest]

Spoiler Alert.......he's going ahead with his planned Alaska cruise despite his minor misgivings. 

 

An accurate and balanced review. Gary's hallmark. 

[waltd]

Like he said nothing is perfect but still our choice for a CruiseLine.  

[CineGraphic]

I think Gary makes some very valid points, but Pam and I are still convinced that Princess is our line of choice.

[Kmkub]

I have to agree with him about smoking. I don’t have a big issue with gamblers smoking, but some treat it as a smoking section. A group of 5 standing by the machines smoking just encourages me to leave. I think Princess must lose slot revenue by not making gambling a requirement to smoke. 

[CineGraphic]

8 minutes ago, Kmkub said:

I think Princess must lose slot revenue by not making gambling a requirement to smoke. 

 

Requiring them to play would help pay for those electronic air cleaners that they've installed.

(Not that they're 100% effective, but imagine how bad it would be without them!)

 

[GonzoWCS]

Interesting, but if you going to Alaska, Princess be the one IMO

 

Cheers

[SKCruiser007]

I LIKE the familiarity of Princess. When I open the door to the mini-suite, no matter what ship, it is like entering our lake cabin. I know where everything goes, and I can relax, knowing what I'm going to find at International Cafe, and that we're going to hang at Vines. We take about two cruises a year - one Princess, and one other. The others are fun, but Princess seems like home.

[Mary229]

I was glad to see him give a critical review, in recent times he has been reticent with criticism.  It was not negative, it was a fair assessment.  Criticism is helpful especially when coming from a reliable source.  Though Princess is not my first preference anymore, I think, as he does, they have much to offer. I just wish they had not sold off all of their smaller ships 

Edited December 6, 2021 by Mary229

[deliver42]

My only problem with Princess, and the reason I'm hesitant about booking them again is that I must use the app for check in. Not happening. There are many other lines that have apps, but don't require anyone to use them for check in.

[pris993]

4 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

I think Gary makes some very valid points, but Pam and I are still convinced that Princess is our line of choice.

I agree Gary made some valid points.  Early on we cruised a variety of lines, 9 total, did enjoy boarding a new ship and exploring what it had to offer.  Even though we cruised 9 different lines over past 30+ years, we cruised Princess more than any other.  We are booked on the Ruby Jan 2022, will be our 31st Princess cruise.    

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, deliver42 said:

My only problem with Princess, and the reason I'm hesitant about booking them again is that I must use the app for check in. Not happening. There are many other lines that have apps, but don't require anyone to use them for check in.

You can elect to bypass the App and forego the features and still check-in at the port and cruise.  Unfortunately, the good stuff is also not available (i.e. the stuff that works well).  They are working on a website equivalent, but we will have to wait for the release to see just how much of the App functionality is reproduced on the website Cruise Personalizer.

 

[teecee60]

3 hours ago, deliver42 said:

My only problem with Princess, and the reason I'm hesitant about booking them again is that I must use the app for check in. Not happening. There are many other lines that have apps, but don't require anyone to use them for check in.

I just completed a transatlantic on Sky Princess and "NEVER used the app..." for anything... EVER.

[caribill]

3 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

You can elect to bypass the App and forego the features and still check-in at the port and cruise.  Unfortunately, the good stuff is also not available (i.e. the stuff that works well).

 

 

Some people who have done that report supplying the info at check-in works, but before the cruise receive communications from Princess threatening to cancel their booking (with no refund) because essential information has not been entered yet.

[dides]

Ironically, the ship Gary is booked on - Majestic Princess - has more changes than most of the other Royal class ships to the standard pattern, what with the Hollywood Conservatory, covered pool and Chinese food options.   Plus one of his favourite cruise lines, Viking, has almost identikit ships so that argument really doesn't sit well.

[Sistercruising]

I we

[Sistercruising]

I went on the Sky Princess in October the food was disgusting. Everything in the buffet that should have been hot was cold. The menu in the main dining rooms was strange lots of egg plant. The meat was very tough. Never had a decent meal. People are still saying the same on reviews. I sent a complaint on the 28th of October I still haven't had a reply from Princess. Spent hours on the app to get a check in slot and when we got to Southampton it was a free for all. I won't bother if we go on another cruise. A lot of passengers were very disappointed and said never again with Princess. 

[SargassoPirate]

With fifty-some cruises under my belt (Princess, RCI, NCL, HAL, Celebrity, Cunard, and Viking) I can honestly say that I've never had a bad meal on a cruise.   Nor do I pick a cruise or a cruise line for the entertainment, the rides, the casino, or other things some folks deem as essentials.  I choose a cruise and a cruise line based on the itinerary and if it matches up with land travel before or after the cruise.  I do prefer a wraparound promenade deck, but it's not an absolute deal breaker.  I don't spend any time on the Melanoma Deck, but prefer a quiet shady spot on the promenade to read, nap, and watch the ocean go by..

 

Give me a promenade, a wee dram or three in the evening, some strings/guitar/piano music venues in the evening and I'm good to go.

 

 

[john watson]

Gary does focus on the fact that Princess has gone for bigger ships.  Every mainstream cruise line has done exactly the same.  He points out that the seawalk is intrusive on the balcony cabins just below and inside of the feature but then complains that on the next design this view has been blocked off spoiling the impact of the seawalk.  I like the fact that Princess does a good standard of service and the food is easily good enough for my requirements.  In terms of sameness I am trying to move on from the familiar Grand Class ships layout and learn the Royal Class ships.

 

Regards John

[minnesotasisu]

I saw his video last night too and I wonder, since he has many subscribers, if Princess itself is watching and listening and if they would make changes. They may not listen to one complainer but Gary has a huge following and they can't afford any more bad press. I hope they get themselves in ship shape soon.

[loge23]

As a long-time Princess cruiser that also enjoys cruising on other lines, I think that there are plenty of better reasons to give a objective comparison/critique than what Mr. Bembridge put forth on this kind of nothing-burger of a video. The video reminded me of when a band puts a clunker of an album because they owed the record company another release.

I mean, the Sky walk? The size of the ships? The uniformity? Really?? Points that he refuted himself!

I do agree with the casino smoke, though I don't gamble anyway.

The banner heading for the video has little to do with the actual content. Mr. Bembridge himself tells us that he's looking forward to his next Princess cruise.

Hope his next one is better.

 

 

 

[Marauder]

The consistency (what he calls sameness) from ship to ship is one of my favorite things about Princess, especially since it's such a good design with the Atrium at the center.  That allows me to focus on itinerary and price when I'm shopping for a cruise knowing that I'll be happy with whatever ship I end up on.

 

I agree with others that the one really valid complaint he had was the smoking in the casino.  Princess needs to do something about that.

[billco]

11 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

With fifty-some cruises under my belt (Princess, RCI, NCL, HAL, Celebrity, Cunard, and Viking) I can honestly say that I've never had a bad meal on a cruise.

I only have around 40 cruises under my belt, but had the worst meal ever on the Regal Princess November TA we recently sailed. It was Italian night. The Eggplant Parmesan was cold and hard, the Vegetarian Lasagna tasted like cardboard, and the Minestrone Soup had no taste at all, which was strange since the Minestrone at Alfredo's is the best ever. Probably should have complained, but just left without dessert. Only time something like that has happened and the rest of the meals on the Regal were fine. It was noted in my review.

Edited December 7, 2021 by billco

[AnyMajorCruiseDude]

38 minutes ago, billco said:

I only have around 40 cruises under my belt, but had the worst meal ever on the Regal Princess November TA we recently sailed. It was Italian night. The Eggplant Parmesan was cold and hard, the Vegetarian Lasagna tasted like cardboard, and the Minestrone Soup had no taste at all, which was strange since the Minestrone at Alfredo's is the best ever. Probably should have complained, but just left without dessert. Only time something like that has happened and the rest of the meals on the Regal were fine. It was noted in my review.

Just request replacements.  Better than posting after the fact, imo.