The Grand..officially my least favorite Princess ship

[Gallivanting Souls]

We got off the Grand on Jan 24th. Saw no major problems on our watch. The Grand ***is*** an older ship, but she got us from point A to point be with no problems. The staff were great. Once you get over the mid stair issues, it is just like any other ship. Your trip is what you make of it. Princess is not going to sell off ships that are still usable. This is how then can still offer an affordable itinerary on the west coast. For now, I for one will take it!

[SadieN]

We got off the Grand on Jan 24th. Saw no major problems on our watch. The Grand ***is*** an older ship, but she got us from point A to point be with no problems. The staff were great. Once you get over the mid stair issues, it is just like any other ship. Your trip is what you make of it. Princess is not going to sell off ships that are still usable. This is how then can still offer an affordable itinerary on the west coast. For now, I for one will take it!

 

 

We were on the same cruise. Guess you didn't see the yellow buckets in the buffet table area.

[DMRick]

We just got home yesterday, so haven't yet but intend to. The lights didn't blink at the same time all over the room..but in different areas, so it was almost believable lol!

I forget which ship, but on one the dining room lights would get dimmer and brighter and repeat. The waitstaff said they had no idea why.

 

I have no doubt on your cruise it was a problem the engineers could not isolate. Certainly there would be no signal to every waiter at the same time that food was ready.

 

Did you fill out the survey form that was e-mailed to you appropriately??

[Colo Cruiser]

Princess is not going to sell off ships that are still usable.

 

Of couse they do, can't market a ship that doesn't sail.

They do it with all of the ships that leave the fleet. (Ocean in 2016)

[DMRick]

I was waiting for this type of remark lol. A trip is not always what you make of it, when it's smelly and damp. As you can see in my sig, we like cruising and we like Princess. This is about the ship, not if we know how to enjoy ourselves. I knew you were on the January trip (I'm the one that found Stephen for you), but we also had others on our trip that were on yours (2-3 back to backs), with the same complaints as us. You may not have encountered the pails, etc, but they did. Guess it depends on where you go on the ship.

 

Your trip is what you make of it.

Edited February 19, 2015 by DMRick

[san diego sue]

Hi Doris,

After (yours and mine) our transtlantic cruises (after the retrofit), I thought I would never sail on the Grand again. WE gave it another shot in November.

Did it because, cruise was cheap , on the West Coast. Our experience this time was so much better but still the things that bugged me were still a problem. I had that horrible stuck in elevator problem on the transatlantic. Funny that same forward elevator(I was going to avoid those at any cost), was out of service the whole cruise in Nov.

Lucky for us we didn't experience the leaks with buckets although I am sure were there in areas we missed.I hated the smaller closets and safe.

 

[DMRick]

I have to say Sue, when I first got into the mid elevator where I was stuck, I felt a little uneasy, but the elevators seemed to work very well and fast this trip! We did notice in one of the back elevators, there was a dip (more like a hole), covered by the rug (which we found in the explorers and other areas as well), which several people mentioned at dinner, etc, and I did start to avoid that one lol! Others mentioned it was the same in one of the forward elevators. We won't be giving it another shot.

Hi Doris,

After (yours and mine) our transtlantic cruises (after the retrofit), I thought I would never sail on the Grand again. WE gave it another shot in November.

Did it because, cruise was cheap , on the West Coast. Our experience this time was so much better but still the things that bugged me were still a problem. I had that horrible stuck in elevator problem on the transatlantic. Funny that same forward elevator(I was going to avoid those at any cost), was out of service the whole cruise in Nov.

Lucky for us we didn't experience the leaks with buckets although I am sure were there in areas we missed.I hated the smaller closets and safe.

 

[Astro Flyer]

I was waiting for this type of remark lol. A trip is not always what you make of it, when it's smelly and damp. As you can see in my sig, we like cruising and we like Princess. This is about the ship, not if we know how to enjoy ourselves. I knew you were on the January trip (I'm the one that found Stephen for you), but we also had others on our trip that were on yours (2-3 back to backs), with the same complaints as us. You may not have encountered the pails, etc, but they did. Guess it depends on where you go on the ship.

 

I appreciate your insights about the Grand which others have also reported for a couple of years. Not everyone on the same cruise has the same experience but to me there are problems on the Grand. Being a recurring problem there must not be an easy fix & like the problems with Skywalker's it could be the result of a design problem in the first ship of a new class of ship.

 

Things like rust spots are not an issue for us...it's a ship & chipping/repainting is always part of a sailor's job. Even interior spaces in need of some sprucing up is not a "deal breaker" for us. However to me the things you experienced are potentially safety issues & not merely cosmetic and something I'll seriously consider. I have a friend currently sailing the Grand to Hawaii & when we drive to meet for lunch in Lahaina will ask about her experiences. Although since these things are recurring there must not be an effective solution to the problems that you & other passengers have experienced. :(

Edited February 19, 2015 by Astro Flyer

[BridgeMates]

Hi Doris,

After (yours and mine) our transtlantic cruises (after the retrofit), I thought I would never sail on the Grand again. WE gave it another shot in November.

Did it because, cruise was cheap , on the West Coast. Our experience this time was so much better but still the things that bugged me were still a problem. I had that horrible stuck in elevator problem on the transatlantic. Funny that same forward elevator(I was going to avoid those at any cost), was out of service the whole cruise in Nov.

Lucky for us we didn't experience the leaks with buckets although I am sure were there in areas we missed.I hated the smaller closets and safe.

 

 

Interesting. :rolleyes: We were on the Grand two summers ago with our 9 yr old granddaughter. We also got stuck in a forward elevator. She was quite upset and I have to say we've never encountered this on any other ship over many cruises. They obviously have a problem that needs to be fixed. Been on the Grand several times over the years but haven't encountered leaks like are being reported now. Have noticed a sewer smell outside the Vista Lounge on occasion tho.

[waltd]

Interesting. :rolleyes: We were on the Grand two summers ago with our 9 yr old granddaughter. We also got stuck in a forward elevator. She was quite upset and I have to say we've never encountered this on any other ship over many cruises. They obviously have a problem that needs to be fixed. Been on the Grand several times over the years but haven't encountered leaks like are being reported now. Have noticed a sewer smell outside the Vista Lounge on occasion tho.

 

I think the sewer smells come with the ships. I don't know a single ship I've been on in the last 20 plus years that I have not come across a sewer smell in some hallway. The worst for us was on the Pacific, deck 6, aft. First time I have actually smelled it in the cabin. But it eventually went away.

[Thrak]

I think the sewer smells come with the ships. I don't know a single ship I've been on in the last 20 plus years that I have not come across a sewer smell in some hallway. The worst for us was on the Pacific, deck 6, aft. First time I have actually smelled it in the cabin. But it eventually went away.

 

I've noticed a similar smell when walking the Promenade on Grand, Star, and Crown.

[SadieN]

I have to say Sue, when I first got into the mid elevator where I was stuck, I felt a little uneasy, but the elevators seemed to work very well and fast this trip! We did notice in one of the back elevators, there was a dip (more like a hole), covered by the rug (which we found in the explorers and other areas as well), which several people mentioned at dinner, etc, and I did start to avoid that one lol! Others mentioned it was the same in one of the forward elevators. We won't be giving it another shot.

 

 

Forgot about the spongy elevator floor. That was truly odd.

[Colo Cruiser]

I've noticed a similar smell when walking the Promenade on Grand, Star, and Crown.

 

They have to vent somewhere and there are large vents all along the Promenade on all the Princesss ships.

[FritzG]

We had many of the same experiences on our spring, 2013, Hawaiian cruise. We were in a Baja upper 600's cabin, and a couple of cabins in our section were flooded, there were wires dangling from the ceiling most of the cruise while they looked for the leak, and we smelled the same mildew in many areas including Horizon Ct. Our toilet didn't work several nights, and we got notices that they might not work several other nights.

 

The Grand is also our least favorite ship, too. We've never had any problems like these on any of the other ships we've sailed.

[KruzeKrazy!]

We were on the Grand for a 10-day Alaska cruise out of SFO. We were in an aft suite and had a great cruise.

 

We saw just a tiny (expected) amount of rust hear and there and some minor (again, expected) worn furnishings here and there but nothing major. And in all our dealings all over the ship for 10 days saw no buckets, leaking, mildew, puckered carpet, etc.

 

Maybe Princess has two different Grand ships... :- )

[dfields1814]

We were on the Grand last Nov. I must admit I did not notice a mildew problem. But I have say she is a little worse for wear. Nothing really major but several minor issues that that can add up like soiled carpet etc.

 

But like the OP we still had a great cruise.

 

My least favorite ship is the Sea Princess because of its basic structure in terms of the position of the balconies.

[monkeyzoo15]

Worst ship we have ever been on by far, will never be back on this ship again. Ship should be taken out of service, water leaking, terrible smells, broken deck chairs, toilets not working, public washroom doors not locking, a/c in room not working, very dirty and dusty ship. On a positive note, the employees were great and the food was the best we ever had.

[KruzPrincess]

I was on the Grand in December for 15 days for a Hawaii cruise. First, I have to say that I had fun because of the people I was with. Also, the staff was very good. I probably wrote more good reviews for people than any other cruise I've been on recently. I thought the food was good, especially in the Crown Grill. That said, it was my most disappointing cruise ship experience. I don't think I'll ever choose to sail on the Grand again.

[Ahhh]

The Grand has officially become our least favorite ship...because of the ship. So glad I had my inhaler with me...the mildew gave me cause for concern. The ship stunk of mildew all over the place!

 

I know the casino allows smoking, but I never noticed before that even when it's closed, it's become the smoking area..they really need more fans to draw out the smell..the non smoking area seems to be well ventilated..why not the rest of it. I felt so sorry for the workers at the pursers desk, constantly having that smoke drift out on them.

 

I was not happy with the Grand when I sailed on her in March 2014. I found the same issues as you. The ship has some serious leak problems, as mentioned by others. My cabin was all the way aft, on Aloha Deck 12. I could not be in it for any amount of time due to the heavy smell of mold/mildew, and had to be switched to another. In fact, the whole aft of deck 12, port AND starboard wreaked of mold & mildew for about the last 8 cabins back.

 

The same smell was in the Main Theater, all the way forward, near the stage, on the right. I witnessed many buckets and ceiling stains in the aft section of the buffet as well. That ship definitely has plumbing and pipe problems.

 

I also agree 100% with you about the Casino and the smoke. I will never sail on the Grand again, no matter what the price is. I value my health too much.

 

Give me the Crown, Ruby or Emerald any day, especially now that the Sapphire and Diamond are now longer near by. David

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

We haven't sailed on the Grand since Dec 2010 & even then they had some of the problems that you mention. I see that the conditions have gotten much worse. We can put up with some of the maintenance issues you mentioned but needing to catch leaks in a bucket is going a little to far.

 

We just got off the CB & they also have similar aging problems (but not as bad) that need to be addressed.....sagging seats in the show lounge and Piazza, broken trays, sewerage problems, etc.

If Princess doesn't do some preventative maintenance to their older ships instead of concentrating on their newer builds it's sure to hurt them in the long run. In years gone by we would never think to have to check on any of the ships conditions before booking but it seems that it's almost a necessity lately...sad. :(

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Oh, I forgot to add that they don't have any blankets on the CB to keep warm during a MUTS movie. They do provide as many pool towels as you need to cover up. :D

Did they at least have blankets on the Grand? :confused:

[DanaPointBob]

Worst ship we have ever been on by far, will never be back on this ship again. Ship should be taken out of service, water leaking, terrible smells, broken deck chairs, toilets not working, public washroom doors not locking, a/c in room not working, very dirty and dusty ship. On a positive note, the employees were great and the food was the best we ever had.

 

If it is that bad in the passenger areas, can you imagine the state of disrepair in crew sections of the ship. Yikes!

 

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[skf]

buckets and smelly towels don't cut it

No they do not...if this were on land the health inspectors would not be pleased.

[Cobraman]

We did a MR cruise in late 2014, in an aft suite. While in port (tender) in Loredo, the ship was forced to run its thrusters most of the day. The vibration was so bad by mid-morning I counted a dozen buckets catching water from ceiling leaks. The water leaks were so bad they had three high-volume fans set up to dry carpets in the aft elevator area. Several cabin entrance lights (small can light above doorway entrance) had shook out of their mounts are were handing by wires. If you walk the upper decks and look at the external walls and heavy metal supports, you will see dozens (and I mean dozens) of spots where staff are marking cracked welds and metal tears with red markers, dating them as they continue to widen. The ship needs some real work, in my opinion the leaks have created a health risk from mold growing under carpets and behind wall panels. We will not book the Grand again. Service was first class, food was excellent but the ship is worn and suffers from significant vibation issues from many different sources.

[BCCRUSINGCOUPLE]

I agree the old girl is showing the signs of many cruises and many passengers however I would still sail on her. There is sum much tlc needed but she is still safe and clean and good staff.