smalldog

Thanks for all the input, everyone. I really appreciate hearing about your experiences etc. It sounds like it will be an "it depends" kind of decision for me. ;)

Yes, organised it myself on the internet. Easy. Did three lots of big land content (tour, truck camper and car hire), combined with three nights at each port of call. Taxis meet the ferries which sometimes stop a little out of town. Fabulous relaxing way to see Alaska and meet the Alaskan people. Like you, I want to return.

Sounds wonderful. While I enjoyed my cruise there very much, I found it frustrating that I didn't have longer in each place. But only the high-end cruise companies stay longer than a day in each port. So I must think again about the ferries...

I absolutely would not book a Sea Princess cruise having experienced a cruise on it last June.

 

Would that stop me booking a different ship with them, No.

 

I just feel they really let everyone down on how they handled the problems with the Sea Princess, not being truthful and trying to evade answering any questions. I would have been spitting chips if I was on one of the cruises that lost a number of port calls and also the people that missed out on their cruise totally.

Thanks for the warning. So you think it is a ship-specific problem, rather than the whole line?

Yes, because my small ship of choice, Ocean Princess is for sale.

I like small ships, too. The cost sends me back to the big ones, alas. But one day... ;)

I see from your signature that you did the Alaskan marine highway. How was it? Did you organise it yourself, or use some kind of tour?

I asked about it when I was over there on HAL in 2009. I was very tempted to go back and do the journey on the ferries, but I haven't done so yet. I love connecting with local people and lifestyle, but the sheer convenience of not having to pack-unpack every day sways me back towards the cruise ships.

cruising from your home port is good as it saves you time and money but if you booked on p&o or RCI from Brisbane you could have the same problem with breakdowns and i'm sure they would treat you just as well as princess

Home port is wonderful. Not a big fan of the style of P&O or RCI unfortunately, although I know many who enjoy them -- otherwise I'd give them a go.

We do get Cunard into town once or twice a year, but it's usually one way, so you've always got to fly to or from somewhere. I wouldn't mind that except that international one-way flights are far more expensive than half of a return.

THanks for your thoughts. :)

For something that you should look forward to, it's better to book where you would feel positive, if this gives you sufficient concern. You don't want to spend the next x months worrying.

Yes, it's definitely put me off. I've even been thinking of just having a land-based holiday instead. But a cruise is definitely an exceptionally relaxing holiday. Hope your Sea Princess voyage is successful, and no further troubles. :)

I think if you go with the flow and stay positive, you tend to have a fantastic holiday.

True, Polly. I hope your cruise goes ahead as planned, and goes well. :)

I had been thinking of booking a last-minute cruise on Sea Princess out of Brisbane this summer, but all of these technical troubles they've been having, and the complaints some passengers have made about lack of communication, make me worried...

Any ship can have a breakdown, we all know that. It's more the lack of communication, to allow passengers to plan, that troubles me.

And if they cancel a departure, there are so many other expenses beyond the cruise fare that I'd get no refund on (eg travel insurance, dog kennelling).

My main reason for sailing Princess is the Brisbane departure. So much more convenient to just pile everything in the car and drive over to the port.

So if I ended up having to fly to Sydney to get on Sea Princess (for example), I might as well do HAL, as I prefer a number of things about HAL, especially the beds (I have a bad back, and my last Sun Princess bed dipped in the middle and to one side).

Sun Princess also chuntered across the Tasman at low speed, due to engine troubles. Sadly, Brisbane seems to be where old cruise ships go to die. ;)

I will say one thing for Princess though... they have lots of balconies and they do give good discounts to past cruisers, I've been offered as much as $500 off. HAL just gives you a drink coaster. ;)

What do others think? Have you been happy with Princess's communication when things went wrong?