Grand not so GRAND - 3/15/14 Sailing.

[Working 2 Cruise]

It's always interesting to see different opinions... ccrain is doing a live from... b2b2b. He was on your cruise and it appears that he and his wife have been enjoying themselves very much. At first, since I'm cruising on the Grand in October, I was concerned but I keep on reading Charles' live from report and am no longer so concerned.

 

Sorry about your cabin, however. That must have been very unpleasant. The Sapphire sadly is leaving us, but will be getting the Crown and the Ruby. Hopefully, you will consider those ships.

[ksm77]

We were on the Grand from 2/18 - 3/5 to Hawaii. This was our 29th cruise and our 11th on Princess. We enjoyed the cruise very much. We were in Cabin 721 on Baja deck. We had no issues with our cabin. While the Grand is not the newest best ship in the fleet we thought this cruise one of our best. The entertainment was very good. The production group on our cruise were ending their contract after our cruise. All new people coming on broad. The cruise director was also leaving at the end of our cruise. That may have had something to do with their like of enjoyment. I don't know what everyone is talking about with the robes. Our robes were the same as the robes we have had on all Princess cruises. If you are booked on the Grand don't let someone's bad experience affect your experience. What you will encounter could be completely different form what happened to them.

[Thrak]

Mold and mildew would definitely affect me but at least it's something that can potentially be fixed. I have major issues with another type of odor that Princess seems unlikely to be able to properly address.

 

I am referring to people who douse themselves heavily with perfume. It gives me massive headaches. It seems there is always at least one woman who reeks as if she has bathed in the stuff. I'd love to throw those people overboard but then the massive dosage of perfume might kill all the fish so I guess that probably isn't really a good idea after all.

 

Sorry for the mini hijack but your issueswith tthe mold and mildew got me going.

[morriscats]

We were on Grand in Sept to Alaska and although we head about some of the problems, we never encountered them. It was our first time on Grand and we have booked again for March of next year to Hawaii. I have knee problems and need the elevator but had no problems missing the center elevators.

[trinaM]

Grand Princess not so GRAND

 

 

 

The Grand was the first ship of it's class (built in 1998).

 

David

 

 

Thank you for your very specific and realistic review of your cruise on the Grand Princess.

 

Its good to be Forewarned if there are specific issues and that they attempted to accomodate your needs.

Thanks again.

[bdjam]

There is NO shower in the Grand men's locker room. Perhaps you are thinking of another ship, or it was hidden.

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I did not have to step into the casino to experience the smoke emanating from it, so there has been no significant advancement there.

My last two cruises were on Grand Princess and there definitely was a shower available in the men's changing room. Perhaps they removed it since October? As you walk into the area the lockers and benches were on the right, the shower - in plain sight - on the left. I will be on board in June so I will have to check to be sure I'm not hallucinating.

 

I had friends staying in the window suites who I visited often and it seemed that there was no smoke detectable in that area. But I think as long as people are permitted to smoke in an area, it's going to smell like smoke. Even the best air exchange can't alleviate what seeps into the carpets and the furnishings. So I guess your mileage varies depending on how much you spend time near the casino. Not being someone who gambles, I have found it easy to avoid especially since it's on deck 6 on Grand Princess and not in the line of egress to the other parts of the ship.

[Ahhh]

It's always interesting to see different opinions. At first, I was concerned but I keep on reading Charles' live from report and am no longer so concerned. Sorry about your cabin, however. That must have been very unpleasant. The Sapphire sadly is leaving us, but will be getting the Crown and the Ruby. Hopefully, you will consider those ships.

 

Yes, it's always interesting getting different opinions. As we all know, you can ask 10 people on a ship how their cruise was and get 10 different answers. I am sure you will enjoy your voyage on the Grand, as most guests do. My issues with mold were limited to a tiny portion of the ship, unbeknownst to 99.5% of the guests, unless they used that back door on deck 12 leading to the Terrace Pool. My other observations and issues would effect more passngers.

 

I too am sadened by the departure of the Sapphire. In fact one of my cruises on her was substituted with the Crown. I look forward to the Ruby! I did not know she was coming to LA.

 

We were on the Grand from 2/18 - 3/5 to Hawaii. We had no issues with our cabin. While the Grand is not the newest best ship in the fleet we thought this cruise one of our best. If you are booked on the Grand don't let someone's bad experience affect your experience. What you will encounter could be completely different form what happened to them.

 

I agree with everything you are saying. It is only when you encounter a problem, that it affects you. I am glad you had no issues with your cabin - as it should be. There are many factors that make up why people say "This was one of our best cruises ever!" (ship, friends, family, ports, weather, cabin, celebrations, food, mood, love, not being at work, etc.)

 

Mold and mildew would definitely affect me but at least it's something that can potentially be fixed. I have major issues with another type of odor that Princess seems unlikely to be able to properly address. I am referring to people who douse themselves heavily with perfume.

 

The mold/mildew issues can be fixed if there is the desire, time, investment to do so. They can also be ignored if they do not effect the majority.

 

Perfume is another issue. Yes it can bring on headaches, and I agree that some people are rude/inconsiderate, and/or ignorant in the amount they use.

 

We were on Grand in Sept to Alaska and although we heard about some of the problems, we never encountered them.

 

What problems had you heard about, if I may ask? I know that some people live to complain, but that was not my case. I really liked my cruise, especially after the cabin change, when I was not wondering if I would be disembarking on day 3.

 

Thank you for your very specific and realistic review of your cruise on the Grand Princess. Its good to be Forewarned if there are specific issues and that they attempted to accomodate your needs.

 

I try to give an honest, ballanced review of what I see and experience. One of the things I like about Cruise Critic is that it helps everyone put things in perspective. Now anyone who reads this thread will know the issues I faced and can proceed knowing that they are not the first ones to express concern about certain issues.

 

I was led to believe that nobody had ever complained about the mold issues, and it was all new to them. I find that hard to believe, considering it looks like an ongoing issue. I wonder who is occupying cabin A748 this week, and how they are faring?

 

My last two cruises were on Grand Princess and there definitely was a shower available in the men's changing room. Perhaps they removed it since October? As you walk into the area the lockers and benches were on the right, the shower - in plain sight - on the left. I will be on board in June so I will have to check to be sure I'm not hallucinating.

 

I had friends staying in the window suites who I visited often and it seemed that there was no smoke detectable in that area. But I think as long as people are permitted to smoke in an area, it's going to smell like smoke. So I guess your mileage varies depending on how much you spend time near the casino. Not being someone who gambles, I have found it easy to avoid especially since it's on deck 6 on Grand Princess and not in the line of egress to the other parts of the ship.

 

I am most anxious to hear if there currently is a shower in the locker room. I cannot believe that each of us missed it but... We certainly would have availed ourselves of it!

 

"Window Suites"?!? I had no idea that such a thing existed on deck 6 till you mentioned them and I looked on the deck plans. They're hidden...like a few other cabins on that ship, that shall remain a secret.

 

Trust me, if there are a lot of smokers on your sailing, the smoke from the Casino will make it's way into the Atrium, especially to the reception desk which is right behind it, on deck 6. Since most ships limit their indoor smoking areas to the Casino, most smokers go there, whether it is open or not.

 

I always used deck 7 to get from one end of the ship to another, especially the outdoor promenade. David

[Caribensun]

Glad some of you will be going on the Star instead of Grand, however last month Star had several water damage issues as well, with water leaking in places all over the ship. Maybe the Grand class ships have problems. The Ruby had water leakage problems in its 2nd year of service when we were onboard. Am happy you were able to get into another room, but sorry you had to deal with the stress of it.

[ccrain]

Moisture in the cabin is not a good thing. However, it probably is not from a leak in the structure. Pipes all over the Grand are springing leaks. Over the past couple of weeks there have been dozens of pipes springing leaks here and there. Sprinkler pipes, water supply pipes, all mainly in the ceilings, and hard to fix or locate as the water can travel quite a ways. So there is a substantial issue with water supply pipe leakage all over the ship. And from the few I saw them fixing, its not at the joints, its in the body of the pipe, like the pipe has corroded. Even after 14 years, that shouldn’t be happening.

 

I am interested to hear that the Star has the same problem.

 

One crew I was talking to was mentioning the fact that the piping was metal, not PVC (or the naval equivalent), and unable to be replaced, but I know that naval ships have metal piping and do not have this type of problems after only 14 years. He/she mentioned that when they fix one leak, another pops up in the same pipe further away. Almost as if the pipe if at the point of failure and they can't simply replace the pipe in most cases. They have to patch it.

 

The number of leaks I've seen, and actually been dripped on by them, is not just onsies or twosies. It might be a systemic problem with the actual design of the piping system that might require some drastic action.

 

Especially if it is occurring on all the Grands.

[Ahhh]

Glad some of you will be going on the Star instead of Grand, however last month Star had several water damage issues as well, with water leaking in places all over the ship. Maybe the Grand class ships have problems. The Ruby had water leakage problems in its 2nd year of service when we were onboard. Am happy you were able to get into another room, but sorry you had to deal with the stress of it.

 

Thank you for the info! I will be doing a Bon Voyage Experience on the Star later this year, while she is docked in San Francisco for one of her first sailings under the Golden Gate Bridge. I'll definitely be checking out the whole ship!

 

Speaking of the Golden Gate...I forgot to mention that when we sailed out of the Bay, it was a glorious day with mild temperatures. It was perfect for experiencing one of the best ports to sail out of, as far as natural and man-made beauty!

 

Pipes all over the Grand are springing leaks. Over the past couple of weeks there have been dozens of pipes springing leaks here and there. Sprinkler pipes, water supply pipes, all mainly in the ceilings, and hard to fix or locate as the water can travel quite a ways. So there is a substantial issue with water supply pipe leakage all over the ship.

 

The number of leaks I've seen, and actually been dripped on by them, is not just onsies or twosies. It might be a systemic problem with the actual design of the piping system that might require some drastic action. Especially if it is occurring on all the Grands.

 

Very interesting! Thanks for informing us all :)! Check out the aft of deck 12 and you will see what I mean about a moldy/musty smell :(.

[cr8tiv1]

"Window Suites"?!? I had no idea that such a thing existed on deck 6 till you mentioned them and I looked on the deck plans. They're hidden...like a few other cabins on that ship, that shall remain a secret.

 

The Golden, Caribbean, and the Grand are the only ships with Window Suites. I have sailed on the Golden (Window Suites) numerous times and I do like the location better than where they are on the Grand. Never the less, I am booked on the Grand to Hawaii. They are swapping places with her for the Star out of Los Angeles. I would like to see more of these staterooms. Location is 90% of the appeal.

 

Now, if Princess is truly reading these threads and absorbing the posts, I do hope they will have ELUA AND Dave Cole on these Hawaii runs.

Edited March 25, 2014 by cr8tiv1

[Miss Celebrity, Oceanside]

David,

 

You didn't say much about the food, does it compare to Celebrity?

 

Miss Celebrity/Ilene

[timesurfer7]

Davis do you recall the formal nights for this trip?

[gkny]

Thank you for this review.

[ggprincess2004]

"Window Suites"?!? I had no idea that such a thing existed on deck 6 till you mentioned them and I looked on the deck plans. They're hidden...like a few other cabins on that ship, that shall remain a secret.

 

The Golden, Caribbean, and the Grand are the only ships with Window Suites. I have sailed on the Golden (Window Suites) numerous times and I do like the location better than where they are on the Grand. Never the less, I am booked on the Grand to Hawaii. They are swapping places with her for the Star out of Los Angeles. I would like to see more of these staterooms. Location is 90% of the appeal.

 

Now, if Princess is truly reading these threads and absorbing the posts, I do hope they will have ELUA AND Dave Cole on these Hawaii runs.

 

The window suites on all three ships are on Deck 6, starboard, forward. The casino on the Golden is what is in a different location - Deck 7, rather than Deck 6. The smoke infiltrating into the hallway for the Window Suites on the Grand and Caribbean is not a problem if the forward door to the hallway for the suites remains closed. When it is propped open, it can get smokey in that hallway.

 

We are looking forward to being back on board her in May of 2015 for an Alaskan b2b with our family along for celebrations. :D We have a real soft spot for the Grand as we were married aboard her.

[spyro1952]

[quote name='ggprincess2004']The window suites on all three ships are on Deck 6, starboard, forward. The casino on the Golden is what is in a different location - Deck 7, rather than Deck 6. The smoke infiltrating into the hallway for the Window Suites on the Grand and Caribbean is not a problem if the forward door to the hallway for the suites remains closed. When it is propped open, it can get smokey in that hallway.

We are looking forward to being back on board her in May of 2015 for an Alaskan b2b with our family along for celebrations. :D We have a real soft spot for the Grand as we were married aboard her.[/quote]

The casino is on deck 7 on the Caribbean, not 6, and the smoke does not effect the WS. I was in a WS last April on the CB for the TA and if you ask the steward to keep the doors closed at the end of the hallway, you don't get any smells from anywhere.