Tahitian princess

[SillySoul]

I am considering a cruise on this ship to Northern Europe next May. Does anyone know anything at all about this ship? Thanks!

[Toto2Kansas]

I am considering a cruise on this ship to Northern Europe next May. Does anyone know anything at all about this ship? Thanks!

What type of information are you looking for?

Many here have sailed on this ship in and around Tahiti, and recently to Alaska. It is one of the Renaissance ships that Princess took over after that line went bust. They (Tahitian, Pacific and Royal Princess are all from the Renaissance cruise line) are the smallest ships in the fleet, no anytime dining, only assigned first and second seating in one diningroom. They do offer alternative dining venues such as Sabatinis and Sterlings Steakhouse but they alternate nights they are open. There is one swimming pool onboard and a very small casino.

 

Not actually a ship for children as there is no designated kids area and Princess only supplies any type of program when they have a minimum number of kids onboard.

 

If you could be a bit more specific in your questions, I am sure someone here will be able to answers some if not most of them. :)

[Seal]

Cruised on it 3 times in about 2 years--LOVE IT

 

I'll try to answer questions

 

Nancy:D

[caribill]

I am considering a cruise on this ship to Northern Europe next May. Does anyone know anything at all about this ship? Thanks!

 

You can see pictures of it at http://fp.caribill.com/

[BigGuy25]

We spent 12 days on the Tahitian Princess last summer and loved it. There's plenty to do on board ... but you may be disappointed if you're looking for a ship with LOTS of daytime activities and many different selections for nightlife. With only 670 passengers it's a much quieter ship than the mega-ships (not many children). But, you really get to know your fellow passengers on an entirely different level than you do on the big ships. That was very enjoyable. We'd sail the Tahitian Princess, or any of the R-class ships, anytime!!!!

[pilotdane]

I loved Pacific. I found the size to be perfect. Quick and easy to board & disembark. You get to know your fellow passengers. If you forgot something it is a quick trip back to the cabin.

[Spikesgirl]

We've sailed on both the Tahitian and Pacific and loved them. They are the perfect size to get into ports and easy to get around. While it's true that they don't offer all the bells and whistles of the mega ships, we found the comfort and luxury they offer to nicely off set all of that. Of course, that being said, we don't use the pool or casino facilities and if those are something you really value, then you might find the ship too small for your tastes.

[chrysalis]

Have sailed the Royal (24 days) and the Tahitian (14 days)...the Tahitian trip was in July.

 

Love the ships, and the small size. Only real downer is no anytime dining room, but everything else makes up for that.

 

On our recent cruise on the Tahitian we had the best wait staff we have ever had in 14 Princess cruises, and one of the best room stewards. Also, you will find that the Captain and other senior officers are very visible.

[ssbeagle]

The Tahitian also has a nice buffet, a great library, and a laundry room. The ship is beautifully decorated with wood paneling throughout. It has a very nice spa and the cabins are quite comfortable. It's very easy to get around. We really enjoyed this ship and would go on it again in a minute :) .

[SillySoul]

I was asking because I have seen mainly negative things written about this ship. The size of the ship does not bother me at all. It being a ship that is bot great for kids makes it even better for me. When some say no anytime dining. Do you mean only assigned meals with no buffet during the day by the pool as other ships do? No midnight buffet? No pizza bar? I was on a small ship once and the entertainment around the ship was mainly string quartets and solo violinists? Not exactly my cup of tea. So I guess I am now wondering is the entertainment on this ship like what I just described? Thanks again everyone!

[ssbeagle]

I was asking because I have seen mainly negative things written about this ship. The size of the ship does not bother me at all. It being a ship that is bot great for kids makes it even better for me. When some say no anytime dining. Do you mean only assigned meals with no buffet during the day by the pool as other ships do? No midnight buffet? No pizza bar? I was on a small ship once and the entertainment around the ship was mainly string quartets and solo violinists? Not exactly my cup of tea. So I guess I am now wondering is the entertainment on this ship like what I just described? Thanks again everyone!

 

The Tahitian had a great cruise staff and the entertainment was excellent. Being a small ship with less stage area, they do an excellent job and really work hard at putting on a good show. We've seen some great performers on board. There is the buffet which is open any time. They have Sabatini's and Sterling Steakhouse on alternate nights. You can get pizza just like on any other ship. Most Princess ships don't have the midnight buffet any longer but they have the champagne waterfall and everything else. I would go on the TP and her sister ships in a heartbeat again.

[DeepWaterMariner]

We were on the Tahitian for 14 days in July and loved it. There is a buffet on the Lido deck which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has some light snacks late at night. There is pizza and a grill for hamburgers and such. Lines, if you find any, will be short. I was able to walk up to the omelet stations in the morning with no wait at all on most days. The only negative for me, and it certainly wasn't a deal breaker for us, is that the ship has a show lounge, not a showroom with tiered seating, which means not the best sight lines if you aren't in one of the front rows. The many pluses of being on a small ship far out weight that quibble...quick debarkation in ports, even when tendering, small size makes for a very friendly ship (felt like we knew half the passengers by the time our cruise ended), the beautiful Tahitian Lounge which offers panoramic views forward, and no long walks to get anywhere on the ship.

[Druke I]

We haven't been on the Tahitian, but we have been on her sisters Pacific Princess, Oceania's Regatta (twice), and Oceania's Nautica (once, with another trip booked).

 

We like the small ships very much, but do recognize that they don't offer all the options that the behemoths do.

[paul929207]

We love the small ships. We have been on the TP twice (including getting off last Thursday) and have three cruises on her booked for next year. Tomorrow, I will book one on the Ocean (TP will be renamed late next year). We have also been on the Royal and Pacific once each.

 

On the smaller ships, you get to know the other passengers and the staff. You see people you have met again.

 

Also, their libraries are great.

[jacketwatch]

I was asking because I have seen mainly negative things written about this ship. The size of the ship does not bother me at all. It being a ship that is bot great for kids makes it even better for me. When some say no anytime dining. Do you mean only assigned meals with no buffet during the day by the pool as other ships do? No midnight buffet? No pizza bar? I was on a small ship once and the entertainment around the ship was mainly string quartets and solo violinists? Not exactly my cup of tea. So I guess I am now wondering is the entertainment on this ship like what I just described? Thanks again everyone!

Thats interesting. Where have you seen neg. things? We took her two yrs. ago and then it was probably the top rated ship in her fleet. Anyway I would go again but do be aware that if the seas get choppy you feel the motion if that is a concern. An amidships cabin is the way to go I think. She is a terrific ship and has, IMHO a great crrew.

[Desert Cruisers]

We were on the Tahitian for an Alaskan cruise in June/July. The public areas are well-maintained but limited in size. The main cocktail lounge is right next to the casino. Hardly conducive to conversations. The specialty restaurant space has a great location with wonderful views. The fitness area is okay but doesn't have TVs like the newer ships.

 

Our cabin definitely showed signs of wear and tear - "sticky" hard-to-open doors, worn areas in bath, broken glass in picture frame, rusting around window frame, etc. It definitely needed a little tender care. :)

[Aussie Gal]

We have been on the Tahitian Princess twice and will be back on her in September. We have also cruised on the Pacific Princess and in April/May we cruised on Oceania's Nautica for 35 days.

 

We are also booked on Azamara's Quest for Feb/March and have just booked the Ocean (Tahitian) Princess for a 31 day cruise in May, 2010 so you can see we love the smaller ex "R" ships and really only want to cruise on these from now on. We prefer the ships for their size, their interiors, the mini suites, the layout etc. and also the wonderful ports that they are able to visit because they are smaller than the huge ships which are now in the majority.

 

We don't mind that the show lounge doesn't have the best sight lines but we do love the Tahitian lounge at the front of the ship and also the small bar at the entrance to the dining room.

 

I do agree that the ships can move around a bit in rough water but as long as you are aware of this and can take precautions if needed then it is a great cruising experience.

 

Jennie

[Seal]

I, too love the Tahitian Princess--have cruised on her 30 days within the past couple of years--had to cancel a 14 day Alaska on the Tahiatian thats sailing now--we love the deck 6 aft--love 6088--best suite --also love other cabins

 

I, also miss Anytime Dining--but no choice---not the ship for big production shows--they tried very hard a few months ago to sing most of the songs from a production show--I've never missed the large entertainment that you have on the larger ships--but--will always see it it it's available--most people just don't seem to care about the large entertainment shows--

 

Don't know exactly what we do after dinner--but we don't go back to the cabin right away--there's always the casino--friendly folks in the connecting bar--

 

Also--if you have late seating--you probably won't be out until sometime after 10pm

 

Safe Travels:D

[Colo Cruiser]

I am considering a cruise on this ship to Northern Europe next May. Does anyone know anything at all about this ship? Thanks!

 

 

Great ship. :)

[Seal]

I was asking because I have seen mainly negative things written about this ship. The size of the ship does not bother me at all. It being a ship that is bot great for kids makes it even better for me. When some say no anytime dining. Do you mean only assigned meals with no buffet during the day by the pool as other ships do? No midnight buffet? No pizza bar? I was on a small ship once and the entertainment around the ship was mainly string quartets and solo violinists? Not exactly my cup of tea. So I guess I am now wondering is the entertainment on this ship like what I just described? Thanks again everyone!

 

 

Just being curious--somehow I seem to miss the negative comments you mentioned--I can't imagine much that is negative to you--unless the size that won't give you anytime dining or as much entertainment--I think that--for us anyway--it's been a very friendly ship--and when we've had the suite would always invite CC's and those we have met--and once we had a great party goven for our group by the ship--compliments of the CD--All the good food you could eat--and all the champagne that you can drink--we allo know that this doesn't happen often

 

Nancy:D

[BigGuy25]

The only real negatives that I've seen seem to come from those who are looking for a lot more lounges and nightlife or "anytime" dining. But, those are really more preferences than negative complaints. I also prefer "anytime" dining .. but that would never stop me from sailing again on one of these smaller ships.

[SillySoul]

Thats interesting. Where have you seen neg. things? We took her two yrs. ago and then it was probably the top rated ship in her fleet. Anyway I would go again but do be aware that if the seas get choppy you feel the motion if that is a concern. An amidships cabin is the way to go I think. She is a terrific ship and has, IMHO a great crrew.

Actually I have read negative things on other cruise boards. I have sailed many times so the sea never bothers me at all. The smallest ship I was on was the Celebrity Mercury to Alaska. The only dissapointment was entertainment around the ship. We normally do not do the musical shows. But in the lounges there was one lady singing Karen Carpenter songs and she was so bored herself, there was only one gentlemen in there reading a book. I kid you not. The only other entertainment was a string quartet. So don't get me wrong, I am not asking to be highly entertained. I just prefer a ship that we in our early fifties would prefer more than my ninety three year old grandmother.

[ssbeagle]

Actually I have read negative things on other cruise boards. I have sailed many times so the sea never bothers me at all. The smallest ship I was on was the Celebrity Mercury to Alaska. The only dissapointment was entertainment around the ship. We normally do not do the musical shows. But in the lounges there was one lady singing Karen Carpenter songs and she was so bored herself, there was only one gentlemen in there reading a book. I kid you not. The only other entertainment was a string quartet. So don't get me wrong, I am not asking to be highly entertained. I just prefer a ship that we in our early fifties would prefer more than my ninety three year old grandmother.

 

Some of us in our early 50s do prefer the smaller ships like the Tahitian because we don't want the hustle and bustle of a larger ship. I don't like standing in long lines and I do like getting to know the crew and meeting new people. I'm not big into bars and lounges as they get too smokey. The casino is just something that is there. I like the entertainment they have (shows, games, 50s/60s sock hops, etc.). You just never know what you will find. Are you just trying to find an excuse not to go on one of these ships?

[SillySoul]

Some of us in our early 50s do prefer the smaller ships like the Tahitian because we don't want the hustle and bustle of a larger ship. I don't like standing in long lines and I do like getting to know the crew and meeting new people. I'm not big into bars and lounges as they get too smokey. The casino is just something that is there. I like the entertainment they have (shows, games, 50s/60s sock hops, etc.). You just never know what you will find. Are you just trying to find an excuse not to go on one of these ships?

Absolutely not, I have said I enjoyed the Celebrity Mercury and that was a small ship. That is why I was looking into this ship. I like everything about a small ship. The only one thing I disliked about the mercury was that it was similar to a ghost ship. Just because the ship is small does not mean is should be extremely dull to be on. Too me a string quartet is very dull entertainment if that is all they offer beside the shows they have in the theaters. That is why I was asking if this ship was similar. I just do not want to make the same mistake. Why would I need to make up an excuse? I do not understand that.

[ssbeagle]

Absolutely not, I have said I enjoyed the Celebrity Mercury and that was a small ship. That is why I was looking into this ship. I like everything about a small ship. The only one thing I disliked about the mercury was that it was similar to a ghost ship. Just because the ship is small does not mean is should be extremely dull to be on. Too me a string quartet is very dull entertainment if that is all they offer beside the shows they have in the theaters. That is why I was asking if this ship was similar. I just do not want to make the same mistake. Why would I need to make up an excuse? I do not understand that.

 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the Tahitian. I don't like string quartets either and avoid them like the plague. Princess really does a great job with entertainment and they usually have something for everyone. As for excuses for not going on a cruise, it took my husband a few years before he could get me on a ship. Now it's hard when we don't have a cruise planned or we have to wait months for our next one.