First Princess cruise since 2006, is the coffee still the worst on the high seas?

[houstoncruisers2001]

Just curious about the coffee. I mean, I'll get the DW a specialty coffee whenever she wants, I just need a quick jolt of black coffee in the morning.

 

Is it better than before? The same? Or have they some how managed to make it worse?

[Bemidji Ty]

Get a coffee card and have very good, fresh brewed coffee at the International Café.

 

The other coffee isn't great and we happen to think it's better than it used to be.

[Bimmer09]

I have no problems with the coffee syrup in the buffet. It's no worse than 99% of the coffee I drink in America. The fresh brewed in the IC falls into that 99%. You can find rich, flavorful aromatic coffee in Europe without trying hard -even in motorway rest stops. U.S expectations IMO are set low which explains the success of Starbucks.

 

Norris

[Bogie Man]

I've never sailed on Princess, but I bet Celebrity Cruises would give them a run for the money when it comes to "worst coffee on the seas". We love sailing with Celebrity, but their coffee can best be described as horrendous. Kind of like drinking coffee made with compost and then filtered through wood chips.

[Pam in CA]

Never had a problem with the coffee on the ship and I've never paid for a cup. Coffee is very subjective... one person gets a cup of black coffee and the next gets a little coffee with tons of sugar and cream. We're all different.

[atmx093]

Depending on what ship you'll be sailing, there was a thread maybe about a week ago that said that the Royal and Regal serve fresh-brewed coffee at no additional charge. It's machine-made and they do single servings, a bit like keurig or tassimo.

 

Just in case, I'd invest on a coffee card to ensure you get the good stuff.

[caribill]

Is the Princess coffee the worst on the Seas?

 

Hard to tell.

 

RCI board says they have the worst.

 

Carnival board says they claim the title.

 

Celebrity board insists the honor is theirs.

 

etc.

[Colo Cruiser]

OP I think you will probably still dislike the coffee.

Especially if its still in your mind from 8 plus years ago.

 

We have not had issues with any of the coffee on Princess.

[Kruznut]

I've never had a problem with any of the coffee on the ship either. Just as someone said earlier coffee as well as food is subjective.

[AKman2495]

I've never had a problem with the coffee, but if you have to ask that question, I can assure you it will be bad for you....

[OCruisers]

Get a coffee card and have very good, fresh brewed coffee at the International Café.

 

The All Inclusive Beverage Sticker also works for fresh brewed coffee in the International Café. ;)

I'm not a coffee drinker, but DH always gets fresh brewed at the IC.

LuLu

[Times Prince]

If you didn't like the coffee then you probably won't like it now.

 

We are not coffee connoisseurs, and find it palatable most of the time (there are exceptions). I didn't find the brewed coffee much better, unless cleverly disguised in latte form. ;)

[HMSDingy]

I agree with Pam, coffee tastes are very personal. DW and I have no problems with Princess coffee which we take with our breakfast. After dinner, we usually have espresso which is quite good as my Italian roots tell me.:D

[sunsetbeachgal]

Get the coffee card, which entitles yiu to free brewed coffee at the International Cafe' and around 15 specialty coffees. The best investment we make each cruise!!

[philv]

I have in the past purchased a coffee card. Last cruise I didn't get the coffee card and was fine with the regular. However I did missed grabbing a double espresso before excusions on the way off ship. Lately I've developed a taste for a nice cappuccino on occassion and think I will get card this time around. Besides, good excuse to check out the pastries in the IC. ;)

Edited February 6, 2015 by philv

[jasbo49]

My opinion: All run-of-the-mill cruise coffee is the same: like mud but weaker, no real coffee flavor.

 

The Princess coffee card ($25 I think, for 15 espresso-based coffees and unlimited "fresh-brewed" at the International Café) is a really good deal. The "fresh-brewed" is uneven. It's not always fresh, sometimes the bottom of the pot. But the specialties are a bargain at the price. I wish other cruise lines had the coffee card.

 

Jim

[delirious9876]

Royal caribbean's is the worst in the high seas :)

[Water Log]

We always felt Princess coffee was gawd awful and we always brought a coffee card. Just got off the Royal two weeks ago and what a surprise! The coffee in the MDR and Horizon Court was quite drinkable. Fabulous, no passable,

yes. Of course a little Bailey's improves any coffee. And speaking of Bailey's I am so pleased that Princess finally heard and stocks the real thing.There is nothing like Bailey's for breakfast with a fresh International Cafe donut.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Back in 1998, the coffee was really bad. My next Princess cruise in 2006 - the coffee was fine and remains OK today. I think they quite using that syrup or they got better syrup. It was fine this last week on the Crown.

[OCruisers]

Is the Princess coffee the worst on the Seas?

 

Hard to tell.

 

RCI board says they have the worst.

 

Carnival board says they claim the title.

 

Celebrity board insists the honor is theirs.

 

etc.

 

Funny Above! :D

People on ALL of the mass market cruise lines seem to do the "our coffee is worse than yours". :rolleyes: ... :D

LuLu

[cruisequeen4ever]

We actually like Princess coffee and never buy the Coffee Card. Try it; if you don't like it, you can always buy a Coffee Card.

[pmd98052]

It's really bad. I can tolerate HAL and NCL coffee but Princess we buy a coffee card.

[skynight]

Funny question. If you have to mention it, you probably have already decided you don't like the taste of any coffee other than the specific one(s) you are familiar with.

 

Espresso drinks are fresh made, and the espresso bar is always busy with passengers getting espresso drinks, brewed coffee and special teas. Conclusion, passengers enjoy going there, so they must enjoy the drinks.

 

Free coffee on most ships is from a syrup concentrate, similar to Burger King. On the Royal and Regal the free coffee is from ground coffee prepared something like the K Cups when you push the button.

[MandE-UK]

I do not know about other cruise lines, but to most of us Brits the coffee on Princess tastes like recycled dish water! It is truly dreadful. We always buy a coffee card and also take instant coffee sachets with us. So, yes if not the worst coffee on the high seas it must be up there with the worst of them.

[kendon]

Is the Princess coffee the worst on the Seas?

 

Hard to tell.

 

RCI board says they have the worst.

 

Carnival board says they claim the title.

 

Celebrity board insists the honor is theirs.

 

etc.

 

Great post! :)