My first Princess cruise - wouldn't rush back.

[justcruzin85374]

Good luck on your move to Fort Lauderdale, Matt. It should be great to have so many cruise options with out the high cost of airfare, especially from the west coast!

I have thought many times to re-think a move to Florida, just for the no-fly cruise benifits [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Does this mean you'll have to change your screen name?
Good luck and don't be a stranger [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]



Soveriegn 92 E. Caribbean
Majesty 95 W. Caribbean
Granduer 97 E. Caribbean
Rhapsody 00 Mexico
Vision 02 Alaska
Radiance 03 Panama Canal
Brilliance 3/29/04



Radiance of the Seas/Panama Canal 10/18/2003
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;10;18;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] Are we there yet?
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;10;18;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

My bags are always packed!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;3;29;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Brilliance 3/29/2004

[Flotsam]

And remember, . . . Princess (nor any of those other inferior cruiselines) have the by-now-world-famous, Ranch Steaks! YUM.

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[beachgirl55]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Princess has Cream Brulee with fresh raspberries. So tell me does RCCL do Cream Brulee? Did Golden Princess--now trying VOS. Hope we we like it.

[klingoncruiser]

This post is so true. I felt like I was in a nice hotel when on the Grand. I was very underwhelmed by it. My first four cruises were on Princess, and loved them. But slowly they changed and the Grand ships were just not as well thought out as RCL. I never liked the food on Princess, which drove me to try other lines. When I did finally try the Grand, I was plesently supprised to find I like the food much better now. (The deserts were another matter. I am too fond of the RCL flourless chocolate cake.) I think my biggest beef with the cruise was the chopped up layout of the ship. I was always going up or down to get to something, even on the open decks.

Trying other lines is good though. It helps you make up your own mind what you like and don't like in a cruise line and ships.

I wrestled with reality for years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state, I finally won out over it. (Harvey 1950)

[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=1373015577"]Roll call Serenade of the Seas July 25th Click here[/url]

[cruiserforlife]

Funny how two people on the same ship will look at things differently but that's life I guess.

I do agree with some of Matt's statements,mainly the attitude of the staff (which can be surly at times),the layout of the Horizon Court and the internet service.

However,after reading the less than positive reviews regarding the food on RCL,we went with very low expectations and were still underwhelmed.

Just goes to prove:you can't expect much these days,especially when it comes to cruiselines.What was good last week will either be lousy next week or it'll be mediocre and available at an extra charge... [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

"a bad day at sea is better than a great day at work and a lousy day at sea is still pretty damn good!"

[Ocean Boy]

I have also been thinking about giving Princess a try. This just makes me more uncomfortable about doing a cruise on a non-Voyager class ship.

[nautiboy]

Gee, one person writes a negative review and there are so many thank you's for being honest as though the postive reviews have no merit. I've sailed on enough Princess and RCI cruises to know there's good and bad on both. For example, I sailed Vision with some pretty low expectations thanks to comments from previous cruisers, especially when it came to dining (comments like "Shoot the Chef"). Turned out to be an excellent cruise and my friend and I still discuss the fabulous food and service we received in the Aquarius Dining Room. The only exception was the Windjammer Cafe which has not impressed me on any RCI cruises, and the entertainment which was a bunch of hasbeens. By the way, the Princess Theatre is not about decor. It's about being the best theatre at sea when it comes to sight lines. No obstructed views at all.

[enyaw]

Matt---I've been looking for your email address everywhere...PLEASE email me ASAP!! :-)

Nordic Empress---5/90, 6/91
Majesty of the Seas---4/92
Sovereign of the Seas---12/93
Nordic Empress---4/94,12/94, 5/95,
Sovereign of the Seas---8/98
Monarch of the Seas---9/02
Majesty of the Seas---1/03
Vision of the Seas----4/03
Voyager of the Seas---9/03
Monarch of the Seas--12/03

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;5;7;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] Til the Dawn Princess!


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;6;18;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] Until the Pride of Aloha


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;9;26;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Until the Explorer.....

[enyaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by enyaw:
Matt---I've been looking for your email address everywhere...PLEASE email me ASAP!! :-) (but not at the compuserve address)

Nordic Empress---5/90, 6/91
Majesty of the Seas---4/92
Sovereign of the Seas---12/93
Nordic Empress---4/94,12/94, 5/95,
Sovereign of the Seas---8/98
Monarch of the Seas---9/02
Majesty of the Seas---1/03
Vision of the Seas----4/03
Voyager of the Seas---9/03
Monarch of the Seas--12/03

[url="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;5;7;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800 Til"]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;5;7;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800 Til[/url] the Dawn Princess!


[url="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;6;18;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800 Until"]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;6;18;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800 Until[/url] the Pride of Aloha


[url="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;9;26;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500 Until"]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;9;26;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500 Until[/url] the Explorer.....


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nordic Empress---5/90, 6/91
Majesty of the Seas---4/92
Sovereign of the Seas---12/93
Nordic Empress---4/94,12/94, 5/95,
Sovereign of the Seas---8/98
Monarch of the Seas---9/02
Majesty of the Seas---1/03
Vision of the Seas----4/03
Voyager of the Seas---9/03
Monarch of the Seas--12/03

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;5;7;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] Til the Dawn Princess!


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=e9967a&cdt=2004;6;18;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] Until the Pride of Aloha


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;9;26;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Until the Explorer.....

[cruisnfool]

Please new cruisers do not change your plans based on posted opinions here. Everyone has a right to their own but it may not be what you would agree with.
I have sailed 23 cruises across most major lines. I have considered RCI my favorite and one of the reasons is their ships cause you to go "awe"
I have enjoyed 3 Princess cruises and my son worked for Princess for 3- 1/2 yrs as a casino dealer. I will tell you the cruise director sets the tone and pace. If he/she is energetic usually you will get an energetic staff.
I believe you can have good and bad experiences on any ship or line and this can change from week to week.
There are many complaints right now from RCI cruisers and hopefully they will change for the better.
All cruise lines are scramblimg to compete and be finacially successfull. I see changes happening on all lines.
I love CC and hope new cruisers take these reviews with a grain of salt.
My best advice is to try the differant lines yourselves...what a great way to form an opinion.
Happy Cruising

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=8b0000&cdt=2004;10;2;19;0;00&timezone=GMT+0100[/img]
First ever European adventure on Splendour of Seas

[Coppertan]

Although I appreciate your honest review, it's unfortunate that you could find nothing positive about Princess other than their reservations.
I have a cruise booked in August on the Sapphire, and have read nothing but rave reviews on the Princess boards regarding the Diamond.
It doesn't matter much to me about what the ship looks like....especially a new one. I figure, it'll be clean, somebody will be cleaning up after me, DH, and my kids, for an entire week, somebody else will be doing all the cooking, we don't have to worry about the traffic..the Captain will take care of that, and best of all, I'm going to Alaska...who cares what the ship looks like?? I hope to be one of these fortunate people to be able to go back again and again...but it doesn't look promising anytime soon. So, we'll go, have a great time no matter what, and keep our expectations low.
I truly hope that whichever cruise line, or land vacation you may choose, that you realize how many people would love to be in your shoes, but can't.

[mattinla]

Wow, I can only imagine what it would be like if I posted this on the Princess board! And I am surprised some Princess devotee has not done a link to it.. or maybe they have. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

But stop me if I'm wrong, but if I read my statements again, I did not tell anyone not to sail Princess. I gave my impression, and my opinion. I am a big believer in trying something new, and going against the grain and forming my opinion.. and you have read it.

I was told I would hate Norwegian... went anyway and loved it. I was told I would love the QE2. Hated it. Told I would hate Queen Mary 2 - loved it. I form my own opinions and I encourage anyone to do the same.

However, I have been very very very lucky in my life. I was able to cruise 10 times in about the last 18 months, on 5 different cruise lines. I'd like to think I have *some* perspective.

Everyone has likes and dislikes, and that's why there are different brands to meet all the different desires. But for my money, for a mainline cruise, I would either sail RCI or a new NCL ship.

Coppertan, I absolutely know I am fortunate, but does that mean I should not have an opinion? This board exists so people can hopefully make more informed choices about where they spend their hard earned dollars.. at least it always has for me. I truly hope you go and have a wonderful time and a better experience and impression than I did.

And enyaw, your e-mail address is not on your profile...I'll try the other one I have for you.. but mine should be here...

Matt

[This message was edited by mattinla on 05-12-04 at 04:24 PM.]

[BK300]

Gotta see what it's all about. Booked a 2-night Princess CA coastal. We been partial to RCL but have always been curious about Princess. I have heard alot of good things about Princess also. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Coral Princess 5/05 2-day
RCL Mariner 11/04 Western

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;11;21;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Carnival Miracle 11/04 2-day
Costa Mediterranea 11/03 2-day
RCL AOS 10/03 Southern
Carnival Legend 2/03 Southern
RCL Navigator 12/02 2-day
Carnival Legend 11/02 2-day
Celebrity Summit 5/02 Alaska
Carnival Triumph 9/01 Western

[img]http://www.gifs.net/animate/beachbabe.gif[/img]