RiahFly

I have done several Christmas cruises and I was also on this particular cruise. If you do not want kids on board then simply do not book a cruise during Spring Break, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas or in July or August. Now as far as the kids on this cruise, I never had any trouble with them other then a few playing in the elevators or running and bumping into others. But that was very rare. Most all the kids were well behaved. I had more problems with the parents who let their kids run around in the dinning room or let them in the hot tubs by themselves, or simply ignored them completely. Parents are the ones to blame, not the kids.

As a parent, I'm sorry that you had that experience! I was on this same cruise with my husband's family-- Four generations of us, including our children. We experienced the kids left in the hot tub. Very annoying. We also heard that there were a few kids whose parents allowed them to run around the dining room at dinner one night! I would be mortified if either of my kids did that!! It's simply not safe to let kids run wild in that kind of environment. We always had our kids with us at the table and made sure that they didn't bother people. We know that not everyone finds our little angels to be as wonderful as we do ;) The crew actually told us that they really appreciated the discipline.

I am not sure why you care what others are wearing. I care more about the people I meet and certainly don't judge them on their clothes. If someone is enjoyable to talk to, kind, interesting etc. I don't care if they are wearing jeans or a tux. I think that is what's wrong with our world today. We should be concerned with ourselves and let others live the way they want if they are not harming anyone else. If u don't want to dine with someone is not not dressed up enough for you, find friends that enjoy formal clothes and dine with them. If looking at a pair of jeans offends you, just don't look at them and mind your own business

If it were "Crazy Hat Night" and I didn't want to wear a crazy hat, I would take it upon myself to make other plans. I'm all about peace and granola and letting people be, but there is still something to be said for being refined! And honestly, sometimes it's just fun! If I want to walk into the dining room completely nude, should that be allowed simply because that's how I choose to live my life?? I mean really, you could just look away if it offends you or go sit with other people who like wearing clothes.

Clearly, this is an unnecessarily heated subject. My words are not meant rudely, though I know in type it is hard to see that. It would be an interesting discussion to have in person. I hear your words and they are meaningful; I'm just trying to present the other side of the coin. Those are my last two cents and I am respectfully bowing out :)

I guess we are old fashioned, Formal night means "Formal." My husband ALWAYS wears a nice black suit with a tie. If you don't like formal nights you should go to the specialty restaurants or the Horizon Court on those nights.

 

Polo shirt not appropriate for Formal Night, just saying... Come on folks, dining on a cruise is not like going to Home Town Buffet!

I actually agree with you quite firmly! Formal nights are part of the fun of cruising. I spend a lot of time planning ahead for them. My birthday happened to be on a formal night and it made the occasion even nicer. Don't like them? That's cool; no one is forcing you to go to the dining room. Don't like long lines in Horizon Court? Take the time to dress up :D

Not looking for an argument. I'm just saying that everyone knows about formal nights way in advance. You can expect them on every cruise. It's actually kind of disappointing when people don't play along.

Has to be Lotfi Barinni....Head waiter on Regal and Royal....I believe he's on the Golden now. Great guy....we have followed him around and would choose one cruise over another if we know he's on a specific ship.

Is there a way to find out which waiters are on a certain ship? I've tried to find specific ones before, but had no luck with it.

I am going on a ten day Alaska cruise this summer on the Grand Princess. We are doing Anytime Dining since we loved it on the Coral Princess back in 2014 to Alaska. I was wondering if anyone has had any issues with Anytime Dining on the Grand-like long waiting times or anything. Also, do you know which dining rooms are reserved for Anytime Dining-Da Vinci, Michelangelo, or Botticelli Dining Room. Thanks!

I was on the Grand in December. It may just have been a full cruise, but the wait times for Anytime Dining, both to be seated and during dinner were unacceptably long. It took 20 minutes in between courses some nights! Michelangelo was the dining room we used. I wonder sometimes if the traditional diners came to Anytime when they missed their spot. The other problem the waiters told us about is that the people just stay and hang out instead of leaving when they're finished.

Thanks for the great review, lots of information to compare and contrast. We did the same 10 on the Grand Dec 20-Dec 30. We live an hour from the pier and boarding in SF can't be beat. We liked it so much we are back on the Grand in March for a 7 day Calif Coastal. I'm hoping I can convince my wife to go on a cruise at least once a year out of SF.

I also noted many of the things you mentioned about the physical state of the ship. But I loved the ship, not our favorite but the overall experience was truly grand. Couldn't agree more about the excellent service.

We had a balcony on the Aloha deck, A309. Our room was excellent, everything worked great and never had any complaints about noise or fumes.

I going to search the forums hoping you posted some other ship reviews!

We were on the same cruise in December! I wanted to go on the March cruise as well, but it didn't work out. I'm hoping to go in April.

The Grand was obviously not the most advanced ship I've been on, but still nice. It was my first Princess cruise. We live about an hour inland, depending on the traffic. I loved the convenience of not having to fly. There were a few things that were hit/miss. Some of the staff seemed overly tired and/or unhappy. Our room steward was amazing though! He seemed to come out of nowhere as soon as we opened our door!! Headwaiter Luis in the MDR was always a pleasure to see. I have food allergies and he always made sure I was ok. Overall, I would sail on the Grand again.

Enjoyed part 1 very much. Looking forward to more! We will be on the Grand in May, any suggestions on good places to be for Sailaway under the Golden Gate?

Thanks

I was on the Grand in December. When we sailed under the Golden Gate, I stood on deck 14, all the way forward in the outside area. It was a little drizzly, but so worth it! It seemed like you could reach up and touch the bridge! Hopefully the weather will be nicer in May :)

~Kate

I wish Princess would replace the stairs on one side with escalators. That way there would be fewer people trying to use the elevators. In the event of a power failure, the escalators would still function as stairs.

I totally agree! They need to do something anyway to fix the long elevator wait times. Perhaps the long wait is their way of getting folks to stay in shape by taking the stairs? :D

I personally wish that Princess would ask real Jewish people to type up their Hebrew packets for Jewish events! Hebrew is read from right to left, and they put it backwards. The print was also really faint. I used to teach Hebrew school and I could barely read the darn thing!!!

I was on the Grand Princess from December 20-30 and Captain Wilson was still there. No idea whom it is now.

We were recently on the Grand Princess on a cruise to Mexico. I don't know his full name, but our head waiter Luis from Mexico was awesome! I think he's been on a few other Princess ships as well. I have severe food allergies and he was always there to make sure I was ok. I wish he could be on every cruise I go on!!