Last time with Princess. EVER!

[wrm1701]

Just finished a 5 Day on Caribbean Princess on March 7th.

 

Entertainment was terrible.

 

Food in the dining room was terrible! Buffet was actually better.

 

Internet - slow and unreliable.

 

Casino - Machines tight as hell. Plus virtually no one coming around offering to bring a drink.

 

Passenger Services - pulling so many preauthorizations that CC Company begins to decline due to fraud alert. They then disable my "free" internet because of this.

 

This was our 7th cruise with them in less than 4 years. We are not retired so to me this is a lot in a short amount of time. We have only sailed with Princess.

 

Another thing...how is it during 1 lunch I can be asked 10 times about the wine tasting that I said no to 9 times prior. Always someone different coming around. Or when I ask for a beverage they ask about wine tasting. Lot of heavy pushing of extra items to buy...worse than ever.

 

Pretty angry at them right now and anyone I talked to @ 800 number didn't seem to care.

[Northender]

Perhaps Princess is not for you anymore. For me, it is my go to cruise line.

But always willing to try others.:):)

[Garn]

I'm sorry you had a bad time.

 

Can you be more specific?

 

Which entertainment did you see? What made it terrible?

 

What made the food in the MDR terrible?

 

It looks like you thought the internet was bad back in December '13 - has it gotten worse, or just still slow and unreliable?

 

Same thing with the casino - do you think the machines used to be looser, or it just bothered you more this time?

 

Out of curiosity, did you alert your CC company that you'd be travelling? It's a shame that it messed things up.

 

I can see how the wine tasting would be annoying. At least it's different people bugging you - if it were the same ones doing it over and over it would be even worse.

 

I hope you find better luck on another line.

[paul929207]

Sorry you had a bad time. Sounds like it is time for you to find another cruise line or even a different type of vacation

[caribill]

 

As for the credit card, you should always inform your bank that you'll be out of the country.

 

The charges from the ship will come from Princess HQ in California. They will not appear as an out-of-country charge.

 

The daily holds on the card would be for any new charges for that day and normally would not be for what a bank would consider excessive amounts. I think their fraud detection program is a bit too sensitive. I would say this is a bank problem, not a Princess one. It could have happened to the OP no matter what cruise line was involved.

[caribill]

Casino - Machines tight as hell.

 

Whether at land or sea, slot machines are designed to make a profit for the casino.

 

The only question is how fast you will lose all of your money if you continue playing.

[wrm1701]

I'm sorry you had a bad time.

 

Can you be more specific?

 

Which entertainment did you see? What made it terrible?

 

"Between the lack their of in the various lounges and the repeat of the "shows" - "I think it is time they came up with new material"

 

What made the food in the MDR terrible?

 

"The quality of the ingredients. Steaks / Beef was tough. Food creativity / ingredient selection not nearly as nice as in the past"

 

It looks like you thought the internet was bad back in December '13 - has it gotten worse, or just still slow and unreliable?

 

"Slow as usual but way more difficulty logging in this time when wireless"

 

Same thing with the casino - do you think the machines used to be looser, or it just bothered you more this time?

 

"Yes they were way looser this one seemed to be in "suck mode" each time we tried"

 

Out of curiosity, did you alert your CC company that you'd be travelling? It's a shame that it messed things up.

 

" Yes I did. But they did multiples in a day that seemed to create problems"

 

I can see how the wine tasting would be annoying. At least it's different people bugging you - if it were the same ones doing it over and over it would be even worse.

 

I hope you find better luck on another line.

 

Please see my comments above. Not everything was bad. But when calling the 800 number several times to get things resolved and were pretty rude this time.

[wrm1701]

Whether at land or sea, slot machines are designed to make a profit for the casino.

 

The only question is how fast you will lose all of your money if you continue playing.

 

I know that. I don't mind spending / losing the money but give me more time to play.

[Working 2 Cruise]

The charges from the ship will come from Princess HQ in California. They will not appear as an out-of-country charge.

 

The daily holds on the card would be for any new charges for that day and normally would not be for what a bank would consider excessive amounts. I think their fraud detection program is a bit too sensitive. I would say this is a bank problem, not a Princess one. It could have happened to the OP no matter what cruise line was involved.

 

This could happen at any hotel as well.

[Thrak]

Two observations:

 

1. I have seen recent posts by others here that Princess seems to be starting to have a hard sell push on wine tasting and other things. I sincerely hope this is short-lived and encourage any and all who experience this to complain to Princess.

 

2. It is never a good idea to use a debit card for a cruise. Use a credit card always.

 

Sorry you had such a poor experience but, if it is true that you have been dissatisfied with all of your cruises with Princess, you definitely should look into other cruise lines and you will hopefully find them more to your taste. However, you will likely have the same issue on all of them in regard to using a debit card.

 

Best of luck to you in the future.

[wrm1701]

Two observations:

 

1. I have seen recent posts by others here that Princess seems to be starting to have a hard sell push on wine tasting and other things. I sincerely hope this is short-lived and encourage any and all who experience this to complain to Princess.

 

2. It is never a good idea to use a debit card for a cruise. Use a credit card always.

 

Sorry you had such a poor experience but, if it is true that you have been dissatisfied with all of your cruises with Princess, you definitely should look into other cruise lines and you will hopefully find them more to your taste. However, you will likely have the same issue on all of them in regard to using a debit card.

 

Best of luck to you in the future.

 

I didn't use a debit card. I used a credit card. I haven't been dissatisfied on all the other cruises. Though there have been pieces on 2 others that really upset me. 1 was Port of Houston...do I need to say more on that one?

[Working 2 Cruise]

Because things can happen and do happen, I always gift myself OBC, which obviates the need for credit/debit card had holds. It usually works very well.

 

I hope you'll be happier with another cruise line.

[wrm1701]

Just finished a 5 Day on Caribbean Princess on March 7th.

 

Entertainment was terrible.

 

Food in the dining room was terrible! Buffet was actually better.

 

Internet - slow and unreliable.

 

Casino - Machines tight as hell. Plus virtually no one coming around offering to bring a drink.

 

Passenger Services - pulling so many preauthorizations that CC Company begins to decline due to fraud alert. They then disable my "free" internet because of this.

 

This was our 7th cruise with them in less than 4 years. We are not retired so to me this is a lot in a short amount of time. We have only sailed with Princess.

 

Another thing...how is it during 1 lunch I can be asked 10 times about the wine tasting that I said no to 9 times prior. Always someone different coming around. Or when I ask for a beverage they ask about wine tasting. Lot of heavy pushing of extra items to buy...worse than ever.

 

Pretty angry at them right now and anyone I talked to @ 800 number didn't seem to care.

 

OK... after reflection:

 

Entertainment wasn't "terrible" but was lacking and unoriginal

 

I stand by the MDR though... They couldn't cook a soft boiled egg - they tried 4 times and it is on the menu.

 

We enjoyed Cafe Caribe.

 

We enjoyed the BBQ / Chili items added to the Grill.

 

Scoops was great as usual.

 

Our room steward was top notch.

 

I would change the thread title if I could but it won't let me...Guess shouldn't post right after getting off the phone. :)

[wrm1701]

Because things can happen and do happen, I always gift myself OBC, which obviates the need for credit/debit card had holds. It usually works very well.

 

I hope you'll be happier with another cruise line.

 

 

You know that is a great idea!

[TLC535]

I think you anger made you a little hasty...we have sailed a few lines...and NONE are perfect...so far Princess matches us the best, but there are things that annoy us occasionally, we just take a deep breath & move forward knowing we are on vacation and just grateful for that ;)

 

I hope whichever line you choose next it suits you better :)

Edited March 10, 2015 by TLC535

[Thrak]

 

As for the credit card, you should always inform your bank that you'll be out of the country. It appears that you were using a debit card and, yes, Princess (and any other cruise line) will put a hold on it. They want to make sure they get paid for services and any purchases you make. There are many threads on the subject and it appears that you didn't do your research.

 

 

I didn't use a debit card. I used a credit card. I haven't been dissatisfied on all the other cruises. Though there have been pieces on 2 others that really upset me. 1 was Port of Houston...do I need to say more on that one?

 

My apologies. I "cleverly" went by a previous post without verifying the info. I (again "cleverly") assumed (D'Oh!) that the previous poster had investigated enough to verify the statement made. I really should know better...

[shredie]

My apologies. I "cleverly" went by a previous post without verifying the info. I (again "cleverly") assumed (D'Oh!) that the previous poster had investigated enough to verify the statement made. I really should know better...

 

There are some cases where it is not a good idea to take a poster's word for something just at face value. I'm sorry OP had a bad time, and in this case, I will take him at his word since he was the one who had the experience and not me.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Normally I don't usually respond to posts where almost everything seems bad but just having sailed the same ship only a few trips before yours I'd have to say that you got annoyed about something & there was no way that anything or anyone could have pleased you no matter how hard they tried. We found the ship to be the complete opposite of your experiences- the food, crew & entertainment.

 

As far as the wine tasting sales pitch went.....it's done by the crew with an incentive for getting a day off work for the highest number of sales. Try working 7 days as week for 6 to 8 months straight & see if you wouldn't try to get that top sales spot of the cruise.

 

Good luck sailing on RCI or NCL.

[MCC retired]

I don't know but calling a phone number to complain about your cruise experience , to a low level reservation agent, who can do nothing for you ,

is not the way to go .

Detailing your complaints in writing a short concise letter to Princess Customer Service may get you a better response.

Food and Entertainment opinions run from poor to great for others onboard so I would not harp on those 2 gripes.

I wouldn't mention your casino lack of winnings at all . It may discredit your complaint.

Edited March 10, 2015 by MCC retired

[metairiegal]

Oh, great. We leave on Saturday on the Caribbean Princess for 7 nights. Hoping for the best.

[CruizinSherry]

We cruise on CB March 30th, hopefully we will have a nice cruise......but I will keep my expectations in check. But no matter we will be in the warm and beautiful Carribean and away from the cold :)

[jagsfan]

Dear OP,

I have learned the hard way that every time I shoot off my mouth, I shoot myself in the foot at the same time.

I hope you'll get over this cruise and give Princess another chance, but if you do, and have the same problems, try the calm approach next time, try another menu item if the soft boiled eggs don't work, write a non-aggressive letter instead of a phone call. Buy yourself OBC's in advance of the cruise.........it always makes me feel like my spending is free.

Remember slots are there to take your money, not give you theirs.

Not getting upset on vacation is better for your blood pressure if nothing else.

[akeasley]

Oh, great. We leave on Saturday on the Caribbean Princess for 7 nights. Hoping for the best.

 

I'm sure you'll have a great time. This is just one persons opinion and doesn't reflect the other 1000+ people who were on the same cruise.

[wrm1701]

Normally I don't usually respond to posts where almost everything seems bad but just having sailed the same ship only a few trips before yours I'd have to say that you got annoyed about something & there was no way that anything or anyone could have pleased you no matter how hard they tried. We found the ship to be the complete opposite of your experiences- the food, crew & entertainment.

 

As far as the wine tasting sales pitch went.....it's done by the crew with an incentive for getting a day off work for the highest number of sales. Try working 7 days as week for 6 to 8 months straight & see if you wouldn't try to get that top sales spot of the cruise.

 

Good luck sailing on RCI or NCL.

 

Do you know if that is for sure? I would have probably bought a pair then. I know the crew are only doing what they are told to do.

[Wehwalt]

I once got off a ship with the full intent to cancel every voyage I planned. My TA calmed me down. Let's pass that forward when threads like this come up, and not be seen as throwing someone under the, um, under the, um, bus?

Edited March 10, 2015 by Wehwalt