priority embarkation and other minor gripes

[KyRoamer]

Just got back from the July 21 10 day UK - Western Europe cruise in a mini-suite and overall found it a great value and fun vacation. The cabin and PC dining area staff was excellent, the entertainment fair to good, the food mostly good to very good, the spa (overpriced as expected) but excellent, the excursions -- for the most part to be avoided. We enjoyed all of the ports.

 

Getting from LHR to the ship was a bit hectic. We had to wait almost 30 minutes for them to collect enough passengers to equal a bus load. Then we and our bags were walked outside where our bags were literally thrown (one dropped) into the back of a truck. We were then told the bus was late and put into a holding area for 15 minutes. After that it was a nice ride to the ship.

 

We debussed and asked where the priority embarkation line was. Our package was so marked and we were told that was a min-suite perk. We were told everyone had priority embarkation and to just stand in the long line. Only Platinums and above had special lines in Southampton. We got on the ship a bit cranky about 45 minutes later and our bags arrived without noticeable damage one at a time over the next 3 hours.

 

The last night we tried the special steakhouse and had an awful time. The earliest opening (we booked at last minute) was 9 PM. we showed up at 5 of and the place was half empty. One other couple was in front of us. No one was seating anyone and we stood there unattented for 10 minutes and were not seated for another 5. There were three of us and after we were seated it wa 10 minutes before we saw a server. We all ordered steak, 1 very rare and 2 medium rare. No food reached the table for what seemed like forever and the steak arrived at 10:20. The very rare was medium rare and one of the medium rare steaks was medium well to well done and tough. We sent that one back after being told how careful the chef was to control temperature, etc. Only 1 of 3 right did not seem careful to us.

 

Anyhow, two of us had to eat while the third sat. about 10 to 15 minutes later he was served. It was late and he ate just a few bites. had they taken just the steak and not his plate it would have been better.

 

Anyhow, we complained so they did not charge for the last steak. A decent restaurant would have comped the entire meal since it was no fun. Even the band left before our meal was served. We were badly treated.

 

We also did Sabatini's one night and had a wonderful experience there. As suggested above the regular dining room experience was pretty good as well.

 

That all said, we will be back. For the money, Princess provided value and an interesting and diverse group of passengers and crew. I will send my complaint to Princess as well.

[calikak]

Do you mean that the plastic folder thingy that your tickets came in said "Express" on it? If so, then you should know that anyone who fills out their immigration paperwork and sends it in to Princess before they go gets an "Express" sticker on their envelope. It just means that you won't have to stand around filling out the paperwork when you get to the check-in desk. The Platinum/Suite line is just for Platinum/Elite Captain's Cirlce members, and those who book full suites (minisuites don't count). Many, many first-time Princess passengers get frustrated when they discover that the "Express" sticker on their ticket folder is completely meaningless (I know I did!).

 

Sorry you didn't enjoy the steakhouse...but glad the rest of your cruise was enjoyable!

[bubbadog]

im a lil shocked the steahhouse on the golden was superb,as was service,we even went back again it was so good sorry for your bad exp,just chaulk it up as,one of those days,next time will be better for you:))))))))),i know its hard but sometimes its easier to roll with it,shrug it off,move on,:)))))))