Pacific Princess Review

[jilly08]

Pacific Princess Review—10 nights, French Polynesia

I checked in at about 1130AM. There was a slight line but I was on the ship in less than 10 minutes.

 

My cabin was not quite ready and I was prepared to just wait in the lobby until noon when the Restaurant opened. Imagine my surprise when I heard my name being called. I looked up and there was Cruise Critic friend, Pescado Amarillo (Jeannie). She was leaving the ship but I did manage to speak to her for several minutes. We’d been emailing each other and I’ve been reading her blog so I felt like she was an old friend!

 

The Club Restaurant opened at Noon and I went up for the open seating lunch. I did not care for the pasta dish but instead had 2 of the seafood, avocado appetizers. They were magnificent.

 

After lunch my cabin was ready. I was in #3027, an obstructed ocean view. (port hole stateroom) The room was clean and a decent size. I began putting my carry-on items away and my suitcase was delivered not long after that. There was plenty of closet space. I think 2 people could be easily accommodated.

 

I took a little tour around the ship to familiarize myself with the layout and then settled into the aft lido deck area—outside. The ship is very easy to navigate. The ship itself is in good shape. It is definitely not typical cruise ship décor but it had a very comfortable feel. (It took me about 4 days to learn which way to turn when getting off the elevator though!)

 

I met my cabin steward, a lovely woman named Georgie from Romania. She took excellent care of the cabin and was very nice to talk to. I had several conversations with her.

 

I am not posting any pictures of the ship. This has been done countless times before. And a detailed blog of the trip and excursions can be found at: https://gypsyjilly.blogspot.com

 

My reservation contained a request to sit at a large table at the late dinner seating. I was assigned Table 48, a table for 6 in the center part of the dining room. When I arrived, there was only one other person at the table, a gentleman named Phil. He was from Australia and the BEST dinner companion. Good thing too, as he was my only companion for the next 10 nights. Late seating was very light. Most people opted for 1st seating and the staff said they tried to accommodate everyone. As a result, only about 220 people were at late seating.

 

My waiters, Joe and Rod, were over the top wonderful. They couldn’t do enough to make everything perfect for us. They knew our drink preferences after the first night. As our waiters only had about 12 people to care for at dinner, we got a lot of extra care and were able to speak to them at length.

 

Regarding the food: There were several outstanding items in my opinion but most of the food was equal to the quality I’ve experienced on Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I really enjoyed the Fettucine Alfredo in the Parmesan bowl and the soups. The Chocolate Journey desserts were wonderful. I really loved the afternoon tea and took part of that twice on the sea days. I would definitely do that again.

 

I did not eat in either of the specialty restaurants.

 

The Casino was small but had everything you need to lose your money. LOL The only issue I had, and this was not in Princess’ control, was there was a large group of Chinese people aboard and they monopolized the table games at time—which was probably better for me.

 

I only attended 2 of the shows. There was a comedian that was on for about an hour before dinner who was very funny. The other show I attended was a comedy/impressionist. I really wanted to walk out of that show but toughed it out. I spoke to others and they agreed he was awful. I heard the other shows were very good and well attended. They are just not my thing.

 

I did attend the cooking demonstration and kitchen tour. I really enjoyed that and encourage you to attend if it’s offered.

 

Tendering was a breeze. With only 640 passengers, you really didn’t need to get a tender number.

 

And finally, the motion on the ship. I wasn’t worried about that at all as I’ve been on many other cruises and the motion has never bothered me. This cruise I was slightly nauseated on day 2 or 3. The seas seemed especially rough and while the rocking back and forth did not bother me in the least, the side to side motion did. I’ve never experienced that and it got to me, just the one night. I actually noticed it in my cabin which was mid-ship but it was in the dining room that was the bad part for me.

 

Joseph and Rod to the rescue! I must have looked a bit green because right away they recommended a couple of things to try and help me feel better. “Free” glasses of ginger-ale were magicked from somewhere. A bowl of the beef based soup was provided, everything strained out except the broth and a plate of peeled, cored green apples and crackers appeared. Surprisingly, I did feel better. I had no other issues with nausea despite some additional rocky days.

 

My favorite place on the ship was on Deck 5, promenade. Those lounge chairs were rarely in use and were the perfect place to read or take a nap!

I did use the pool one afternoon after I returned fairly early from port one afternoon. I found a chair in the front row near the pool. Most other days, there were zero chairs to be had anywhere on that deck. And chair hogs were very much alive and well.

 

Every staff member I interacted with had a wonderful attitude and were more than willing to help you in any way. In my opinion, Princess’ service is definitely a notch above other lines I’ve been on.

 

I loved the small ship experience and hope I will be able to enjoy it again.

 

I do have most of the patters and will get them scanned at some point and post here for your viewing pleasure.

[lovevacadays]

Thank you for your review. It sounds like you had a great cruise.

[rwstout]

If yo have any current pictures of the ship I would sure love to see them. I will be on for the 17 day Panama with my husband and teenage kids.

[Pam in CA]

Thank you for the review! I'm on her in December for 14 days so I loved hearing about Promenade deck. We have late seating and I've put together a table from our CC roll call so it should be fun.

 

rwstout, any photo of the Royal is pretty "current." The decor hasn't changed nor have there been any major structural modifications.

[shredie]

Thank you for the review! I'm on her in December for 14 days so I loved hearing about Promenade deck. We have late seating and I've put together a table from our CC roll call so it should be fun.

 

 

Fun! Fun! Fun! We'll probably be in danger of rubbing it in. :o The PP is so beautiful, and I like to hear good reports. The smaller show venues call for a different type of entertainment, not the big glitzy production shows, but I've enjoyed the smaller places.

 

OT: Is not Pam's new profile picture stunning? :)

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. WE are on her in 2017 for 17 days. Sounds like you had a great cruise.....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited October 18, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Hi Jill! Thanks for the review. It's good to know you enjoyed the ship (and I've read everyone of your blog posts too). I'm sorry the weather wasn't more cooperative on your cruise. It wasn't really good last cruise either (we've heard) but we're hoping for improvement. I'm glad all the boo-boos have healed, too. Please stay in touch. It was wonderful meeting you in person!

[jilly08]

Hi Jill! Thanks for the review. It's good to know you enjoyed the ship (and I've read everyone of your blog posts too). I'm sorry the weather wasn't more cooperative on your cruise. It wasn't really good last cruise either (we've heard) but we're hoping for improvement. I'm glad all the boo-boos have healed, too. Please stay in touch. It was wonderful meeting you in person!

 

I really loved the ship. I thought the size was perfect. I am disappointed there are not more ships this size in my price range.

 

You know, despite the weather, this was the best cruise ever. I think the people (mostly from our roll call) I shared my excursions with had the right attitude and we laughed and shivered our way through a few days! The weather did get progressively better each day.

 

And there probably aren't too many people that can say they were so cold, they huddled around a grill fire for warmth in French Polynesia!

 

Glad you enjoyed the blog. I did go back and add lots of pictures yesterday.

 

I've been following along with your adventures as well. You're making me want to continue beyond FP!

 

I enjoyed meeting you and G as well. And I will stay in touch. Not sure where my next adventure will be--it is a repo to Hawaii - for now! :D

 

Enjoy 'my' room on the ship!! Happy Cruising!

 

Jill

[fishywood]

I haven't had a chance to check out your blog yet but appreciate all your comments here. But...

My reservation contained a request to sit at a large table at the late dinner seating. I was assigned Table 48, a table for 6 in the center part of the dining room. When I arrived, there was only one other person at the table, a gentleman named Phil. He was from Australia and the BEST dinner companion. Good thing too, as he was my only companion for the next 10 nights. Late seating was very light. Most people opted for 1st seating and the staff said they tried to accommodate everyone. As a result, only about 220 people were at late seating.

 

 

...as a frequent solo traveler as well I would have found it completely unacceptable for them to leave me at a dinner table with four unoccupied seats, especially with only one other solo as a tablemate. On my last two Princess cruises I went with late traditional and an effort was clearly made to condense the remaining diners together as others cleared the waiting list for early seating, which continued several days in. While I too would have appreciated the more attentive service your received, for me that would not mitigate staring at empty chairs for ten nights.

[cnd crsr]

I always enjoy reading reviews from the Pacific Princess as she is our favourite ship. We have sailed on her about 110 days and look forward to returning to her soon. Sounds like you had a wonderful time:)

[Dan Tanna]

Thank you for your review. One of my bucketlist trips for sure. I also enjoyed your blog. Couldn't believe what you had to put up with your flight out and your flight back with the morons who you had to sit next to. Otherwise your trip sounded great. And Princess does the silent disembarkation on all their ships.:)

[CZEE]

Thank you for your review. One of my bucketlist trips for sure.

 

Have you looked at Princess' offerings in French Polynesia? None of the small ships will be in French Polynesia after this year, which is why DH and I took the Pacific Princess from Oahu to Papeete on the voyage before this one. If you want small ship cruising in Polynesia, you'll need to do it with someone other than Princess. The big ships embark from Papeete, then do Bora Bora and Moorea. The smaller islands like Raiatea and Huahine are worried about how they will make ends meet.

[jilly08]

I haven't had a chance to check out your blog yet but appreciate all your comments here. But...

 

 

...as a frequent solo traveler as well I would have found it completely unacceptable for them to leave me at a dinner table with four unoccupied seats, especially with only one other solo as a tablemate. On my last two Princess cruises I went with late traditional and an effort was clearly made to condense the remaining diners together as others cleared the waiting list for early seating, which continued several days in. While I too would have appreciated the more attentive service your received, for me that would not mitigate staring at empty chairs for ten nights.

 

I wasn't bothered at all. Had my table mate been someone I did not immediately hit it off with, it may have mattered. As it was, we had a great time and the first night agreed that while we planned on attending dinner each night, would notify one another if we would not be there.

 

And in all honesty, there were huge amounts of partially filled tables all over the dining room. The thing I thought of was, despite gratuities being spread out over all the wait staff, if all the diners were clustered with a few servers, 1. Those servers would be crazy busy and others would have nothing.

2. Those extra tips that may be given would not be available to those servers with no guests.

 

And to Everyone that commented thanking me for my review. It was my pleasure! Feel free to ask me any questions here or on my blog!

 

Jill

[jilly08]

Thank you for your review. One of my bucketlist trips for sure. I also enjoyed your blog. Couldn't believe what you had to put up with your flight out and your flight back with the morons who you had to sit next to. Otherwise your trip sounded great. And Princess does the silent disembarkation on all their ships.:)

 

Well, I've been blessed with great seat mates on just about all the other flights I've taken. I'm just chalking this up to my turn at seat mates from hell clustered together. LOL

 

Glad you enjoyed the blog. I loved writing it and realized what a great journal it will be for me to look back on some day. I wish I would have done this sooner. I plan to keep it up!

 

I wrote an Email blog for my family when my daughter and I traveled and cruised around Italy and France. I actually had that printed into a hardbound book for my daughter as a remembrance of our trip!

 

I hope you get to visit! I would go back in a heartbeat.

 

Jill

[Bimmer09]

Jilly thanks for the review!

 

I haven't sailed the Pacific P but sailed and loved the Ocean Princess which will be sadly leaving the fleet to become Oceania's Sirena.

 

I'm glad the Pacific is still an option and hope I can find a suitable 7 day cruise on her while she still is.

 

The wide Promenade deck is a nice quiet spot indeed. Too short for the runners and walkers to be going past.

 

I don't envy you that dining room situation-2 at a 6 top. I'm surprised they couldn't come up with something better even if it meant switching out a table from Sabatini's or Sterling.

 

It sounds like you had a good cruise and that's what matters in the long run.

 

Norris

[jilly08]

Jilly thanks for the review!

 

I haven't sailed the Pacific P but sailed and loved the Ocean Princess which will be sadly leaving the fleet to become Oceania's Sirena.

 

I'm glad the Pacific is still an option and hope I can find a suitable 7 day cruise on her while she still is.

 

The wide Promenade deck is a nice quiet spot indeed. Too short for the runners and walkers to be going past.

 

I don't envy you that dining room situation-2 at a 6 top. I'm surprised they couldn't come up with something better even if it meant switching out a table from Sabatini's or Sterling.

 

It sounds like you had a good cruise and that's what matters in the long run.

 

Norris

 

You are quite welcome! I would love to take another cruise on that ship. I hope you are able to find one.

 

I had a wonderful time and this cruise probably moves to the top space in my cruises!

 

Jill

[jilly08]

Thank you for your review. One of my bucketlist trips for sure. I also enjoyed your blog. Couldn't believe what you had to put up with your flight out and your flight back with the morons who you had to sit next to. Otherwise your trip sounded great. And Princess does the silent disembarkation on all their ships.:)

 

I kept wondering why that screen name seemed so familiar to me. Finally, got it. LOL I remember that show!

 

Jill

[Lynda90]

Thank you Jill, for the great review. I will also be on the PP for 14 days in December. It will be my first time on a small ship and I am really looking forward to the experience.

 

I just finished reading your blog and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. I don't know how long it took me to read it all, but it seemed like and hour or more. Great writing and made me want to be on that trip with you. Thank you for sharing so much with us! :p

Edited October 19, 2015 by Lynda90

[Mommypig]

Have you looked at Princess' offerings in French Polynesia? None of the small ships will be in French Polynesia after this year, which is why DH and I took the Pacific Princess from Oahu to Papeete on the voyage before this one. If you want small ship cruising in Polynesia, you'll need to do it with someone other than Princess. The big ships embark from Papeete, then do Bora Bora and Moorea. The smaller islands like Raiatea and Huahine are worried about how they will make ends meet.

 

 

This is really sad. The Pacific Princess is the perfect size for Polynesia. One of my favorite excursions was on Huahine.

[jilly08]

Thank you Jill, for the great review. I will also be on the PP for 14 days in December. It will be my first time on a small ship and I am really looking forward to the experience.

 

I just finished reading your blog and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. I don't know how long it took me to read it all, but it seemed like and hour or more. Great writing and made me want to be on that trip with you. Thank you for sharing so much with us! :p

 

Thanks Lynda! I enjoyed writing it. Have a wonderful time on your cruise! It's a great ship.

 

The drift snorkel in Taha'a was my favorite thing. I would love to go back and spend a few days there.

 

Jill

[CZEE]

This is really sad. The Pacific Princess is the perfect size for Polynesia. One of my favorite excursions was on Huahine.

 

I don't know if not enough people were booking the small ship cruises in French Polynesia. I seem to remember that one of the little ladies was used for smaller ports on world cruise segments. Since they sold two of them, the Pacific Princess had to fill the void> The smaller Islands in French Polynesia are a bit worried. It seems like many businesses in French Polynesia would be affected, airlines, hotels, restaurants, etc.