Should we try Princess again?

[Airbear232]

Our last cruise on Princess was 15 years ago on Caribbean Princess to the Southern Caribbean.  While we loved the ship we had one very bad experience in St. Lucia as a result of advice given by the port and shopping guide.  Suffice it to say based on her advice we almost missed the ship.  We thought the information provided to us was wrong and gave her feedback that maybe this is something she shouldn’t recommend in the future. Not a big deal but upon giving feedback to the port and shopping guide, she was aloof, unsympathetic and defensive.  We didn’t appreciate the attitude and notified customer service, who while not belligerent, provided no positive feedback or assurance that the issue would be addressed.  While we loved that cruise overall, and it was our first cruise, we decided to opt for other cruise lines going forward and have done 30 cruises on other lines in the interim.  Should we try Princess again.  Do you find their service to be comparable to Royal and Celebrity?

[snoozecrooze]

I think you should. Chances are that person working there isn't even there anymore, potentially. But also, so much has changed at the cruise line and in the industry (which you know about) and I've always felt life is too short to hold any of these types of grudges. If something catches your eye, I say just go for it and see what happens. The vast majority of crew you'll face onboard Princess ships are pleasant.

 

I would avoid taking just only advice from the port and shopping guides from any cruise line as well. Allow yourself wiggle room. I hope you have a great time.

[mtnesterz]

Princess is more comparible to Celebrity than to Royal. 

If you've cruised over 30 times, then you've learned by now that little stuff will go awry on a cruise.  You just have to roll with it.  If a person can't do that, then cruising is not for them. Since you've stuck with cruising, it says to me you've learned to shrug off the small stuff.

One person, a contract worker, maybe new on the job, gave some wrong info and was not deferential to you during your first cruise. If you can truly let go that trivial matter which happened 15 years ago, then you will enjoy it. If you are the type to hold on to the past, you will be preoccupied looking for a deficiency to validate your prior opinion. Let it go.

[Rick&Jeannie]

As @snoozecrooze says...that person is very likely not even with Princess anymore.  And...very unlikely that you would even cross paths again if she still works there.  Don't let the actions of one person out of almost 2000 crew/employees that you interact with affect your decision to cruise with Princess again.

[Guest ldtr]

If you believe everything told to you by port guides, probably not. Most port talks give information on local travel, activities and sites they have experienced. That does not mean they are appropriate for everyone's comfort zone and ability to manage the situation if something goes wrong.

 

Even though they give advice it is up to each passenger to make their own decision.

 

Since you have not posted the exact advice given and exactly led to you almost missing the ship a hard to say if one agrees with your point of view or not. The fact that you seem most upset by a lack of commitment to make sure the problem is addressed.

I would suspect that you might be happier on the cruise lines you currently enjoy.

Edited July 7, 2023 by ldtr

[seeyouinthesun]

3 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

Our last cruise on Princess was 15 years ago on Caribbean Princess to the Southern Caribbean.  While we loved the ship we had one very bad experience in St. Lucia as a result of advice given by the port and shopping guide.  Suffice it to say based on her advice we almost missed the ship.  We thought the information provided to us was wrong and gave her feedback that maybe this is something she shouldn’t recommend in the future. Not a big deal but upon giving feedback to the port and shopping guide, she was aloof, unsympathetic and defensive.  We didn’t appreciate the attitude and notified customer service, who while not belligerent, provided no positive feedback or assurance that the issue would be addressed.  While we loved that cruise overall, and it was our first cruise, we decided to opt for other cruise lines going forward and have done 30 cruises on other lines in the interim.  Should we try Princess again.  Do you find their service to be comparable to Royal and Celebrity?

Curious, I had a similar experience two years ago. In general I think any cruise line has issues, I’d give them another shot.

 

The issue I had was Princess listed two different port agents. When I was brought it to there attention they were very dismissive and said I had nothing b to worry about as the island is small and nothing could go wrong. Nothing did in my case but I didn’t like their cavalier attitude towards safety. 

[avonlady6390]

Taking a cruise line shore excursion is best for not missing the boat otherwise don't stray too far on your own of course those port guide talks may not always stress that they probably get commission from shops in town that they recommend.

[SargassoPirate]

We are D+ with Royal and Elite with Princess.  Let's say I'm looking for a cruise to a particular venue and/or itinerary.  All things being pretty much equal benefit/pricewise amongst RCI, Celebrity, HAL, or Princess - our favorite lines - my first choice is Princess.  

[Mike07]

4 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

Our last cruise on Princess was 15 years ago on Caribbean Princess to the Southern Caribbean.  While we loved the ship we had one very bad experience in St. Lucia as a result of advice given by the port and shopping guide.  Suffice it to say based on her advice we almost missed the ship.  We thought the information provided to us was wrong and gave her feedback that maybe this is something she shouldn’t recommend in the future. Not a big deal but upon giving feedback to the port and shopping guide, she was aloof, unsympathetic and defensive. 

 

 

First of all, I have been on the Caribbean more recently (2022), and I still feel like Princess has the friendliest overall passenger facing staff and officers compared to contemporaries Celebrity and HAL --- and from my experiences (30+ days on HAL and 30+ on Celebrity) and too many to count on Princess, it's not by a little margin, but by a lot.

 

Having gotten off of a cruise, HAL is headed in the direction of providing 10 minute videos of future ports of call for a cruise. They don't want situations like what you describe to happen. The cruise director, Clare, mentioned several times that that was the direction HAL was headed and admitted that she accidentally indicated that a HOHO bus would exist somewhere in the Western Mediterranean. When passengers got off, no HOHO existed. She admitted the error she made to us all (this was not a Mediterranean cruise) as to why corporate is discouraging people like herself from giving shore excursion talks.

 

I totally get feeling burned, but also understand why sometimes stuff stops being done. People like you get burned, light up the person on surveys, and then corporate just says, "Easier and safer to run trivia and bingo" than "let's give a port destination" talk.

Edited July 7, 2023 by Mike07

[KKB]

Absolutely try again.

Princes was our 1st cruise 20 yrs ago & got us hooked on cruising.

We mostly sailed Princess for 10 yrs (also DCL & RCCL), then found Celebrity & found it a small step above other lines in service & food--tho we feel Princess is a close 2nd.

The last 10 yrs have mostly sailed Celebrity but have also sailed NCL, Carnival & MSC.

Last yr Princess sent us a casino offer (bizarre after 10 yrs!) so we tried again...and have done 4 more since then with another booked this fall! 

Give it a try!

[Buckeye10640]

4 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

Our last cruise on Princess was 15 years ago on Caribbean Princess to the Southern Caribbean.  While we loved the ship we had one very bad experience in St. Lucia as a result of advice given by the port and shopping guide.  Suffice it to say based on her advice we almost missed the ship.  We thought the information provided to us was wrong and gave her feedback that maybe this is something she shouldn’t recommend in the future. Not a big deal but upon giving feedback to the port and shopping guide, she was aloof, unsympathetic and defensive.  We didn’t appreciate the attitude and notified customer service, who while not belligerent, provided no positive feedback or assurance that the issue would be addressed.  While we loved that cruise overall, and it was our first cruise, we decided to opt for other cruise lines going forward and have done 30 cruises on other lines in the interim.  Should we try Princess again.  Do you find their service to be comparable to Royal and Celebrity?

I would give Princess a try again and make your own decision, and would not consider any bad advice or negative interaction from by a single employee years ago factor into it.    

[Guest ldtr]

24 minutes ago, avonlady6390 said:

Taking a cruise line shore excursion is best for not missing the boat otherwise don't stray too far on your own of course those port guide talks may not always stress that they probably get commission from shops in town that they recommend.

These days port presentation are generally shopping presentations, back 15 years ago they were presentations about the port and ares, about places you could visit and how to get their using local transportation.

 

Today the emphasis is on ship excursions and shops partnered with the cruise line.

[Mike07]

2 minutes ago, ldtr said:

 

Today the emphasis is on ship excursions and shops partnered with the cruise line.

 

 

Sadly, corporations are looking to maximize revenue on these ships and won't leave any stone unturned to do so. That's partly why I fear the Sun Princess. Bigger ship and more areas that come with a surcharge.

[SCX22]

The beauty of the Internet now a days is that you can do your own research on the ports of call before you leave.  There are so many resources like social media, Google Maps, and review sites.  You no longer have to depend on the cruise line staff or the shore excursions team to plan your day.  You can be in control of your time in call.  Purchasing an International data plan can help while you're exploring each port.

 

The pandemic has heavily impacted the cruise experience for all cruise lines, and there has been cost cutting across the board by all cruise lines.

 

I'm afraid to give a direct answer because by the logic used, I might take the brunt of the blame if the Princess doesn't pass your standards.

[Gracie115]

Absolutely try it again.  

Princess is better in service and food than Royal and on par with Celebrity.  We have been Celebrity cruisers for 25 years and sprinkled in quite a few Royal and several Princess cruises in that time now.

 

Celebrity prices (and Royal) have gone through the roof, while cutting services, food and loyalty perks. For the first time since 1998 we have nothing booked with either of them, but DO have a Princess TA booked in 2024 and very much looking forward to it!!!!!  

 

Go for it!

[ldubs]

6 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

 Should we try Princess again.  Do you find their service to be comparable to Royal and Celebrity?

 

I also think you should.   And I honestly do think they compare favorably.  

[Airbear232]

Thanks for all of your feedback, I'm glad there are so many people who are loyal to Princess.  We'd haven't done an Alaska or Hawaii cruise yet and will consider them.

[LibertyBella]

Gosh, I am loyal to cruising, but I rank Princess way up there as one of my favorite lines. (Yes, I sailed the original Pacific Princess Love Boat back in the early 1980's!). I am sailing on Princess in less than a week (Italy & Greece), and I have already been online checking out shopping ideas, even though I have been to both countries multiple times before. (Yes, I love, love, love to shop.) Last time I cruised to Greece I took Celebrity (right before Covid!).

 

I have always had very pleasant port and shopping guides, but let's face it, they have to focus on what stores they are told to promote. Their little talks are fun, but mainly for beginner shoppers. I often go anyway, just to get the coupons and the free maps.

 

As for almost missing the ship?!  There is a big notification on Princess Patter what time everyone should be on board--that is the traveler's responsibility ALWAYS.  The only way to cede responsibility is to book a Princess shore excursion.  

 

As for comparisons, I do think Celebrity is the closest in style--RC is aimed much more at families with children, while Princess and Celebrity are a bit more sophisticated and upscale.  Holland America is similar, with perhaps an older crowd, and we also love Cunard, because of the elegance and the traditions.  Would I ever let one employee stop me from traveling anywhere or shopping anywhere?  NO WAY.  But then, I have been cruising for fifty years, so I mainly rely on my own knowledge and experience!

 

 

[Honolulu Blue]

17 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

Our last cruise on Princess was 15 years ago on Caribbean Princess to the Southern Caribbean.  While we loved the ship we had one very bad experience in St. Lucia as a result of advice given by the port and shopping guide.  Suffice it to say based on her advice we almost missed the ship.  We thought the information provided to us was wrong and gave her feedback that maybe this is something she shouldn’t recommend in the future. Not a big deal but upon giving feedback to the port and shopping guide, she was aloof, unsympathetic and defensive.  We didn’t appreciate the attitude and notified customer service, who while not belligerent, provided no positive feedback or assurance that the issue would be addressed.  While we loved that cruise overall, and it was our first cruise, we decided to opt for other cruise lines going forward and have done 30 cruises on other lines in the interim.  Should we try Princess again.  Do you find their service to be comparable to Royal and Celebrity?

I'm sorry that you had an unpleasant experience on Princess.  My first Princess cruise was after the restart.  They've done all right by me so far, no major issues.  

 

I'm not big on second chances, but if there's an itinerary and/or price on Princess that you like better than the other lines, then I say go ahead and go for it.