Review - CB 7/17/09 - 7/26/09

[espo56]

Thanks for the great review. We just got off today as well. I will put up a review as well but in reply, I agree with all of your comments. Food was excellent, actually exceeded my expectations. Excellent service(with one exception that I will mention). Great embarkation in Brooklyn. We then experienced a Force 8 Gale on day two which made the ship rock rapidly, actually shook you back and forth. Captain ordered tugs for San Juan where winds were almost at gale force, then it rained in the afternoon. First time my family and I have been on Princess after multiple cruises on other lines and we really loved the better dining and service as compared to Carnival and even RCI. Yes, it was extremely slippery on deck. That with the motion of they ship caused multiple falls. Falls seem to occur off the carpeted area and off the teak wood. Something needs to be done to address this. Here's the negative we experienced. Last night especially, there were groups of teenagers, many of whom were drunk, roaming the ship and running, shouting and swearing up and down the cabin hallways. I thought I was on Carnival. My wife called security twice and we went to the Pursar's desk at 4:00 AM. We were on Deck 14 Aft. We were virtually unable to sleep between 2 and 4. The night manager's attitude and response while sympathetic, was there was little that could be done since there were "800" kids on the ship. While we were at the desk, some were banging on the piano and shouting and swearing. To us, this was entirely unacceptable. The parents have to be held accountable for allowing this behavior and somehow enabling alcohol to be available. The interruption of our sleep for most of the last night and the lack of enforcement of rules of conduct on a ship by those in charge really tainted our experience to some extent. I will be writing a letter to Princess about that.

 

We just got off today too and while we had a great trip, we experienced the same problem last night with the teenagers on Deck 14. They were screaming and talking and hanging out in front of the aft elevators right outside our cabin. My husband and I were up until 3 am calling the front desk every 10 minutes until security finally arrived a half hour later. We had a VIP expedite and had to be off the ship at 7 am and we hardly got any sleep. I also plan to write to Princess this week.

[herb]

PSD

CD

Thanks.

 

The cruise director was Tim Donovan. He happened to be our cruise director on Crown Princess 2 years ago...

 

PSD? ...Trying my hardest to figure out what PSD stands for..:)

[Colo Cruiser]

The cruise director was Tim Donovan. He happened to be our cruise director on Crown Princess 2 years ago...

 

PSD? ...Trying my hardest to figure out what PSD stands for..:)

 

 

Passenger Services Director, should be on that first patter.

[espo56]

Yes, the Natalie I am referring to is blonde and stocky with a British accent. Is not friendly at all and should not be part of the CD staff. I was hoping not to see her again on a Princess cruise.

 

Speaking of rude employees, is Natalie still a member of the cruise staff on this ship? I probably will never forget her. Just curious as to whether she is still aboard.

 

No, she is on the Ruby now and yes she was very rude.

 

PS Our cabin on Riviera desk was very warm and averaged betwee 73 and 77 each day. Out clock had a thermometer.

[herb]

Passenger Services Director, should be on that first patter.

 

Okay, found the FIRST Patter :D

 

Passenger Services Director ... Richard Harry

[Colo Cruiser]

Okay, found the FIRST Patter :D

 

Passenger Services Director ... Richard Harry

 

Thanks Herb!

[Colo Cruiser]

Okay, found the FIRST Patter :D

 

Passenger Services Director ... Richard Harry

 

Herb who is the Maitre'D?

[RickEk]

We just got off today too and while we had a great trip, we experienced the same problem last night with the teenagers on Deck 14. They were screaming and talking and hanging out in front of the aft elevators right outside our cabin. My husband and I were up until 3 am calling the front desk every 10 minutes until security finally arrived a half hour later. We had a VIP expedite and had to be off the ship at 7 am and we hardly got any sleep. I also plan to write to Princess this week.

 

During the muster drill on our voyage on 6/29, Captain Fortezze specifically mentioned that parents would be held accountable for the actions of their children. That was the first time that I had ever heard a Captain say this. I thought it was most apropos. And we didn't seem to have many problems with the kids.

 

Maybe that's why they waited to misbehave until the last night?

[Love Boat Dream]

I was on the CB on the cruise before this one. I felt that it was warm in most places. The engineer came to my cabin once to adjust it and it helped a little.

 

I don't think the reports about the lack of a/c is exaggerated.

[herb]

Herb who is the Maitre'D?

 

Maitre D'Hotel ... Giuseppe Franchina

[Love Boat Dream]

During the muster drill on our voyage on 6/29, Captain Fortezze specifically mentioned that parents would be held accountable for the actions of their children. That was the first time that I had ever heard a Captain say this. I thought it was most apropos. And we didn't seem to have many problems with the kids.

 

Maybe that's why they waited to misbehave until the last night?

 

We didn't have any problems with the kids on 7/8, but I was on the Crown 2 years ago and the "Great Brownie Fight" was immortalized on youtube--it was the teens going wild on the last night.

 

Giusepe was the Maitre D' last cruise.

[herb]

No matter what cruise I've taken the last night always seems to become "kids gone wild" night. All the Ship's activities for the young'ens have ended, they are bored and this turns into mischief...

[prg2101]

Maitre D'Hotel ... Giuseppe Franchina

 

 

Colo Cruiser, you may miss Giuseppe when u board in Oct. cause he has been onboard for a while now........

[Corinne Marie]

I was also on this cruise and I have to agree with the warm areas around the ship, especially the casino. Our cabin steward was excellent. We were in a minisuite on dolphin deck. I was not impressed with any of the bar staff in those bars that we frequented. They did not smile or even say hello. I found the pursers to be helpful and kind, especially Norma, from Mexico. The cruise director was so so. The shows were great. The captain is leaving soon. This was announced at the luncheon for the most traveled passengers. All in all, we did have a good time.

[TracieABD]

No matter what cruise I've taken the last night always seems to become "kids gone wild" night. All the Ship's activities for the young'ens have ended, they are bored and this turns into mischief...

Where are the parents?:confused:

[herb]

Where are the parents?:confused:

 

probably in a bar or in the casino ;)

[TracieABD]

probably in a bar or in the casino ;)

Thanks, though the question sort of rhetorical!:D

[kendon]

We didn't have any problems with the kids on 7/8, but I was on the Crown 2 years ago and the "Great Brownie Fight" was immortalized on youtube--it was the teens going wild on the last night.

 

Giusepe was the Maitre D' last cruise.

 

That brownie incident was very upsetting and difficult to watch. They weren't young children either.

[TracieABD]

That is just wrong. For the other passengers and staff. I know that this was the last evening, but does Princess have any policy in place for people who are so disruptive?:confused:

[gloriajean]

Anybody on the Caribe deck on this last sailing? If so, how was the AC in those cabins? My husband is now contemplating bringing a fan! UGH!

[ctbusdrivermom]

We always bring a fan when ever we travel. It is just a habit now. Hubby and I use a fan 365 days a year. I guess it's our old age. We can't sleep unless cold air is blowing at our faces. :D

[Karenteach]

My turn

I just got off the CP yesterday and would just like to add what I thought of the trip briefly. I will do a more detailed review this week

 

We are a family of 4. My husband and myself and we have 2 daughters who are 14 and 11.

 

Embarkation/Debarkation- Terrific. We were on the ship very quickly and off quickly as well.

 

Cabin- We had 2 cabins Riviera 244 and 248. They were interior cabins and our AC seemed to be just fine. Both rooms were small but they worked.

 

Food- I thought the buffets were just fine with a good variety. The dining room food was excellent and our waiters, Gabriel and Allan were tops. They made us feel very special.

 

Entertainment- The 3 cruise shows were really great. I enjoyed them thoroughly. I liked both comedians especially Carl Strong. He just needs some more material to handle the different shows. If you saw him the first night he was there, he repeated lots of that material the next show on a different night. My husband saw the hypnotist. He thought he was good.

 

Kids club- My 11 year old loved the kids club. She made great friends and they did many activities to keep her busy. My 14 year old also made many friends and did her share of the activities for teens. There was a lot of hanging out but she told us that this was the best vacation she ever took so we know that she had a good time.

 

Activities- We played bingo, trivia, charades and pictionary. We laid by the pool, went in the hot tubs and generally relaxed the day away.

 

Spa/Gym- I worked out 3 times and found the gym to be adequate. If you went later in the cruise it really wasn't crowded at all. I had the 1 hour sampler in the spa and liked it but the masseuse talked throughout the treatment and I wish she would have been quiet so I could relax.

 

Ports- We went to Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda. Sapphire Beach in St Thomas, shopping in Puerto Rico and to the beach and pool in Grand Turk. Fun but I could do without Puerto Rico.

 

All in all, we had a great cruise and loved it. There were only a few negatives. I did not like the Cruise Director Tim at all. I don't know exactly why but he was not my cup of tea. He really didn't connect to the passengers at all. I did like several of the other members including Tyson and others. They were much more personable and approachable. I rarely even saw Tim if not at the shows.

 

Would we cruise with Princess again? Probably if the price is right. Feel free to ask questions.

Karen

[winnky333]

Is he the maitre'd for anytime or traditional dining.

[boating girl]

No, she is on the Ruby now and yes she was very rude.

 

PS Our cabin on Riviera desk was very warm and averaged betwee 73 and 77 each day. Out clock had a thermometer.

 

Wow, I repeat myself.....why does Princess keep such a rude employee. She lacks common courtesy skills. My next cruise is on the Emerald so guess I won't encounter her again for a while.

[Colo Cruiser]

Maitre D'Hotel ... Giuseppe Franchina

 

Thanks Herb. :)