Star Princess a major disappointment.

[nrdsb4]

 

Since when is Thailand or Eastern Europe third world countries????

 

 

For what it's worth, I found the following excerpt which was typical of many sources I encountered when I once examined this question for a research paper:

 

"The Asian tigers - South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, except for their big cities, their maquiladora-type production facilities, a small middle class and a much smaller ruling elite should probably be considered Third World countries as well, since their populations are overwhelmingly rural, agrarian and poor."

 

-from Third World

Gerard Chaliand - author

[pg.]

I stand corrected, technically Thailand is not a third world country( by strict economic defination, it is not in the lowest clasification, but is in the low to middle end of the spectrum ).... but Thailand, Romania, and both have GNI under 9 ,000. dollars a year. The States is 39,000, so I guess you get what I mean don't you?

 

You can do anything with your life in the States, Canada, and most western Europeon countries, but, that is such a small portion of the world.

In Romania ( unless you are a gymnast, sorry , bad taste joke) there are no colleges offering scholarships for arts degrees, or for playing piano, or for soccer, get it.

 

We all live on easy street, compared to most parts of the world, the average American man does not have to leave his country for 6 months to a year at a time, not see his kids at all during this time, work 6 days a week and be on call the other one, and work split shifts to boot. While catering to some rich( to him) people who think he should practically bow to them and fetch them a towel so they can throw him a buck.

I don't think their work is bad, and I bet most of them like it too ( money wise I mean) but I bet they have had to deal with some whiney, self righteous , self important , picky passengers, and do it smiling all the time and they get tired and get headaches , and their period comes and they get cramps and then you grouch that they didn't SMILE at you when they walked to their cabin to enjoy their four hours off before they go on service again. Geesh.

 

PS Do you realize that just the fact that we can afford to take time off work for a holiday is an impossible dream in many countries. Let alone the fact that everyone on this board can cruise as opposed to tent camping which is the best some Americans and Canadains can ever do with their time off.

 

Anyways , I will bow out of this conversation as it is getting too polictical( mostly my fault I know, LOL) and I'd rather on threads about booze smuggling and other exciting stuff!!! LOL

[KAYEF]

I haven't read ALL of the posts on here but want to say our first Princess cruise (Island) was terrible............dirty ship and dining areas, rude crew, and on and on.

We gave Princess another chance and had the MOST FANTASTIC transatlantic cruise on the Grand............immaculate ship, excellent crew, fantastic food, table for two when we wanted it.......just called and asked for it so we had the same servers, etc.

Guess the ship can make the difference; we loved the Grand and would never again sail on the Island, period.

[Counselor]

For those of you looking at this thread, make sure that you also look at Star Princess 1/20 - 1/27 posted by flvol77. That thread gives you a completely different picture!

[metro211]

Hi all,

 

This past summer, I wanted to give my husband a special cruise for his 75th birthday. Being experienced cruisers, we went for itinerary over cruise line. We had previously cruised on Princess (1996) and had not cared for it, but the Iceland itinerary looked great. Our experience was very similar to the first post. The ship was not clean, there was a constant musty smell, our toilet had problems four times; and the staff were surly. Eating in the anytime dining became something that we dreaded, as we two would ask for a table for two. Once I was told that I'd have to wait a minimum of one hour for such a table, and after getting really annoyed at the enterance to the dining room, my husband and I were escorted to a lovely table for two immediately. But who wants to get angry as a way of avoiding a long wait. One major differences: on our cruise the entertainment was so bad that we ended up going to the shows and walking out after a few minutes; sometime I really do not like to do as it is so rude. But the entertainmers were tired; the Princess dancers/singers out of tune and step and on and on. The best part of the cruise was the wonderful shore excursion staff and the shore excursions themselves, plus the ports. When I spoke to a cruise member who was leaving after years on Princess, I was told that two years ago the company started squeezing the price point, cutting back on amenities for the cruisers, and on staff salaries. Further, Princess is targetting "first time cruisers" who won't know the difference. As well, he said that more and more cruisers are not tipping, so that the staff is getting more and more angry. This was definately our last Princess cruise. They may have great itineraries, but I don't go on vacation to be hasselled. As for writing to Princess, I tried that, not to get anything, but to give someone some feedback. I wrote in September, and am still waiting for even an acknowledgment of my letter of concern. To the couple with the first post, I am so sorry that your honeymoon cruise was not the joyfilled experience that you had envisioned! Wishing you a long, loving life together. :)

[Freedom55]

Please see my inserted comments: in red italics

 

Hi all,

 

This past summer, I wanted to give my husband a special cruise for his 75th birthday. Being experienced cruisers, we went for itinerary over cruise line. We had previously cruised on Princess (1996) and had not cared for it, but the Iceland itinerary looked great. Our experience was very similar to the first post. The ship was not clean, (what do you mean "not clean". Please explain. there was a constant musty smell,(everywhere???) our toilet had problems four times; and the staff were surly.(all of the staff on the ship?) Eating in the anytime dining became something that we dreaded, (Why not choose traditional?)as we two would ask for a table for two. Once I was told that I'd have to wait a minimum of one hour for such a table, and after getting really annoyed at the enterance to the dining room, my husband and I were escorted to a lovely table for two immediately. But who wants to get angry as a way of avoiding a long wait. One major differences: on our cruise the entertainment was so bad that we ended up going to the shows and walking out after a few minutes;(every night you walked out - or did you just go to one show?) sometime I really do not like to do as it is so rude. But the entertainmers were tired; the Princess dancers/singers out of tune and step and on and on. The best part of the cruise was the wonderful shore excursion staff and the shore excursions themselves, plus the ports. When I spoke to a cruise member who was leaving after years on Princess, I was told that two years ago the company started squeezing the price point, cutting back on amenities (like what? examples please) for the cruisers, and on staff salaries. Further, Princess is targetting "first time cruisers" who won't know the difference. As well, he said that more and more cruisers are not tipping, so that the staff is getting more and more angry. This was definately our last Princess cruise. They may have great itineraries, but I don't go on vacation to be hasselled.(now you were hasselled? examples please.) As for writing to Princess, I tried that, not to get anything, but to give someone some feedback. I wrote in September, and am still waiting for even an acknowledgment of my letter of concern. To the couple with the first post, I am so sorry that your honeymoon cruise was not the joyfilled experience that you had envisioned! Wishing you a long, loving life together. :)

 

I think some more explanation is needed. What cruise line do you prefer and what do they do better?

[Colo Cruiser]

Wow, so sorry about your first cruise. I am also sorry for some of the rude people on this post. Not everyone has a super vacation (land or sea), however, that is what this board is all about. Everyone should have an opportunity to express their feelings about the trip without people that have been on a zillion cruises making them feel bad. Their first post and probably the last what a shame. Hopefully your marriage will be smooth sailing. God Bless.

 

 

Too bad if the OP can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen.

 

When you post any comments about a cruise be it negitive or positive expect replies whether they are welcome comments or not. Can't sugar coat the replies just like the OP did not sugar coat her review. :rolleyes:

 

Another poster that should have done her homework. There were plenty of posts on this subject over the last 2 years.

[Counselor]

Which ship? We were on the Star Princess in late June, 2003 to Alaska and again last week. In the 3 1/2 year time, we did not see any deterioration in the quality of food, service, condition of the ship, shows, although we did not like the piano player in the Promanade Lounge, amenities in the stateroom, etc. See my post as a reply to flvol77's thread Star Princess Review 1/20 - 1/27.