Caribbean Princess Review - 8/6 Sailing

[jhaasz]

I am just going to highlight my thoughts about this cruise:

 

Cabin - C410 - yes, we had one of the cabins where the air conditioning did not work - it took five calls to get it "somewhat" fixed (so that it was not stifling) the first night and two more to get it "somewhat" fixed again for the rest of the cruise. We finally fixed it by taking the vent cover off which helped. On the second to last night, our cabin was stifling (hot and humid) - we called at 11:00 pm to complain, some one looked at it, reported it and said someone would be by to fix it while we went out. We came back about 2:00 am and the cabin was worse - I called at 2:00 am, again at 2:30 am and again at 2:45 am and finally threatened to sleep in the Cafe Caribe for the night (3:00 am) before someone finally came. The best they could do was turn up the blower (using their computer hooked into the thermostat). It was better but it was never great. Thanks to all for the idea of bringing the fan - my husband thought I was nuts but it was very much needed. Our kids cabin across the hall (C412) seemed much better.

 

Cabin Steward - nothing great. He pretty much did his job but I have had better. The best job he did of cleaning our room was when we told him we had the Ultimate Balcony dinner that evening - he did the best job on the room, lining up the shoes, vacuuming, etc. Every other time was just ok.

 

Ultimate Balcony Dinner - My husband balked at paying the $100 fee but I said I had to try it. Well, even he agreed that it was worth every penny. We had a waiter and assistant waiter wait on us. They come in with a folding table, set it up against the class pane and moved our other table to a corner to use for the water pitcher, silverware to be put out, etc. We had roses on the table, fresh linens, everything. We chose the crab cake, the salad was huge (four times of what they served in the dining room), the surf and turf and the chocolate mousse (wow) and cheesecake (huge) for dessert. Well worth the money and the personal service we received. They left the door to our room open (and our balcony and, believe it or not, the air conditioning never worked as good as it did that night for some reason or other). They were very unobtrusive. Put down the appetizer, left, came back, checked, left again, came back to remove the dishes and serve the salad, etc. This was excellent and I would highly recommend it. I also would like to thank the fellow passengers above us and below us who came out to sit on their balconies, saw that we were enjoying a dinner, and went back into their rooms to give us privacy. Very, very much appreciated.

 

Sterling Steakhouse - Excellent, especially the shrimp cocktail, New England Clam Chowder served in a bread bowl and the filet mignon was cooked to perfection! We ate here on the first formal night (did not care for the menu in the dining room). It was not busy - there was maybe one family dressed formally, the rest mostly dressed as if going to a nice restaurant back home (we're from NJ) and even one family with kids in jeans and T-shirts. FYI - I was told the dress code was casual (no shorts).

 

Sabitini's - It was good but I preferred the steakhouse. Skippable next time. Sarge is back and was sitting by our table. To be honest, the guy was very loud which was very annoying to our table of four. When he got up to leave, another table called him over and he gave them a "show". Of course, this table was right next to us and we found this annoying. We had wanted a quiet dinner together and that's not quite what we got.

 

Sarge himself - The show was excellent (for the first 1/2 hour). Then, to be honest, it just died out.

 

Dining Room Food - Huge disappointment. On our last two cruises, the food has been excellent. I found some of the meals to be good (but not great) and some downright nasty. Very disappointed in the "Love Boat Dream" - it's just not the same - not as rich. Our waiter tried his best but he had a new assistant waiter that had just come on board - the two of them just couldn't work together - our waiter ended up doing a lot of the tasks that the assistant waiter should have been doing - made for not such great service in the dining room. I felt bad for our waiter - he really did try.

 

Buffet - Just downright awful. The breakfast buffet was terrible and the food never changed (then again, how many different items can you serve for breakfast, anyway?). We stuck with lunch, pizza, then burgers, and I had a large salad at the buffet. We ate lunch in the dining room on two different occasions but found the menu limited (but the food was good).

 

Skywalkers - Very neat and love the moving walkway to get there. However, we went up there on the 2nd formal night just to "people watch" and were shocked on how some of the crew members were up there, drinking and "groping" (yes, I saw it with my own two eyes) each other and trying to pick up young lady passengers (and, to be honest, some of the young lady passengers were trying to pick them up also). I thought this was disgusting, some of the people were ship officers, and I completely lost all respect for these people. I travel quite a bit on business, attending many meetings with people that I work for and would never, ever do any of these things - it is totally and absolutely inappropriate.

 

Photographers - Excellent - I never bought so many pictures. They took their time and it showed in the pictures taken.

 

MUTS - Still my favorite. :)

 

Casino Staff - Most were friendly (once they got to know you). Enjoyed my time there (hope they enjoy my money :) ).

 

Shopping on the ship - The selection was terrible - it was the first cruise ever that I didn't buy a T-shirt or anything else in the shops - I did all of my shopping on land.

 

Art Auction - I did purchase a pretty litho but, other than that, most items were a disappointment. I was really looking for a Wyland to add to my collection but their selection was not as good as it had been in the past. I was surprised to see a couple of Peter Max's, though.

 

Last night of the cruise - I must say, the service was a disappointment. It was like, "OK, your cruise is over - get off." Popcorn was not served the entire time during MUTS, the covers were not placed on the lounge chairs (as was previously the case), I couldn't find a blanket (it was chilly) and there was no bar service. Also, the entire ship (including the purser's office) closed at 2:00 am. I have never seen anything like this - it was a shock.

 

So, I guess the question is, would I cruise Princess again? The whole reason I decided on Princess was location (no flying), price (cheaper than RCL) and food (the food on our last cruise on the Crown was amazing compared to this).

 

My 17 year old had a bit of a tough time with the teen program (really too old for the teen program but not old enough for the "adults" - she turns 18 in October) and my younger one says she had a terrible time but managed to stay out fairly late most nights (I really think she had a good time but was bored the first couple of nights and the last night). Since my oldest will be a "young adult", I don't think Princess would be the cruise line for her for many years to come.

 

So, to answer my question, if it were my husband and I alone, and the price was right, I would probably cruise them again without the kids. To be honest, with the changes that have taken place over the last six years, they are no longer any different in the service/food than RCI or Carnival, in my opinion.

 

If I can answer any questions, please feel free to ask.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review. :)

[Crusin Karen]

Thanks for the review, but YIKES: Dining room food was a "huge disappointment." Can you give details? And the breakfast buffet too? I could eat breakfast 24/7, so this worries me a bit...:confused:

[Casshew]

Hi there, thanks for your review.

 

I always find cruise ship food 'okay' but lack luster... this is all lines I have sailed including Princess. I always find something to eat but I don't think I've had a meal that wowed me. For what you pay though, I think the do a great job with the offerings.

 

Love Boat Dream dessert.. blech! Tried it on the Golden and didn't get further than one bite.

 

I also find that service disappears on the last night and by the final morning they just want you the heck off the ship ASAP, here's your hat, what's your hurry? :D Again this is all lines I've sailed with.

[Sandytoes]

Well Jhaasz by your review it definitely sounds like we were on different cruises.....;)

Sorry you found so many negative things aboard the CB. You probably had a lousy time. Hopefully you'll find a cruise line to your liken'.

[caribill]

Very disappointed in the "Love Boat Dream" - it's just not the same - not as rich.

 

Thanks for your honest report.

 

As for the LBD, two years ago it was much richer than it is these days. Much better back then.

[dforeigner]

Thanks for taking time to write a review.

[sultan_sfo]

Thanks for your opinions. Perhaps time for you to switch back to your favorites -- Carnival & RCI.

[CMM]

Thanks for your review.

You covered many positives in princess, while still pointing out the areas you were disappointed.

I find these balanced reviews the most helpful and appreciate your opinions.

 

Why did you prefer the steakhouse over Sabatinni's? the food choice? Considering trying Sabatinni's next month. We loved the Crown Grill last year.

I'd be interested in your opinion.

[Clutterlady]

Thank you for your honest review. Everyone has different opinions on food. For us, our May CB cruise had the best food we've ever had on a cruise ship!

 

Welcome home:)

[Sandytoes]

Thank you for your honest review. Everyone has different opinions on food. For us, our May CB cruise had the best food we've ever had on a cruise ship!

I have to agree.

Shamed to admit - this is the first cruise where I gained weight....:o..:p

 

Even though we found the majority of the food selection in the main dining room pleasing to the eye and delicious to eat, we noticed that Princess is "cutting back" on some of the more expensive items.

[jhaasz]

Thanks for the review, but YIKES: Dining room food was a "huge disappointment." Can you give details? And the breakfast buffet too? I could eat breakfast 24/7, so this worries me a bit...:confused:

 

Compared to the Grand back in 2002 and the Crown in 2006, I found the choices to be more "limited" in the dining room and the food just not as good as before. I agree with Sandytoes - it seems that they are cutting back on the more expensive items and even the ingredients. I found the French Onion Soup and Mushroom soup, for examples, not as good as the last cruise.

 

In regards to the breakfast buffet, I found the French toast just not cooked as well as could have been (basically, bread with sugar), the pancakes were like fluffy carboard and the scrabbled eggs were extremely runny. We didn't try breakfast in the dining room but you might have better luck there.

[jhaasz]

Well Jhaasz by your review it definitely sounds like we were on different cruises.....;)

Sorry you found so many negative things aboard the CB. You probably had a lousy time. Hopefully you'll find a cruise line to your liken'.

 

Sandytoes - A cruise is what you make it. Did I have a lousy time? Absolutely not. If you read the review, there were quite a few positives to balance out the negatives - but - the problem with the air conditioning in our cabin (we spend quite a bit of time in our cabin) put a damper on our cruise in the beginning. We enjoyed spending time on the ship in Bermuda, St. Thomas and Grand Turk while everyone else was in port (quite a few less people at the pool). We met some very nice people on the cruise - including Shineycoach and his wife - and overall had a great time. I just wanted to point out that, compared to what Princess was six years ago (or even two years ago), times are a changing. :)

[jhaasz]

Thanks for your review.

You covered many positives in princess, while still pointing out the areas you were disappointed.

I find these balanced reviews the most helpful and appreciate your opinions.

 

Why did you prefer the steakhouse over Sabatinni's? the food choice? Considering trying Sabatinni's next month. We loved the Crown Grill last year.

I'd be interested in your opinion.

 

I think it was the food choices - to be honest, the steakhouse is much more to my liking. Loved the shrimp cocktail, the New England Clam Chowder and the Filet Mignon - nice and tender. To be honest, I didn't care much for the desserts.

 

In regards to Sabitini's, I am not big on Italian (but my husband is). It was okay but I even found the atmosphere in Sterling's more to my liking. I even liked the food in Sterling's much better than in the Crown Grill two years ago.

 

We had eaten at Sabitini's before and loved it - this time, it just seemed okay and I'm not quite sure why (maybe I was a bit too tired for the meal). If we ever do sail Princess again, I don't we will dine at Sabatini's again.

[Love Boat Dream]

I was on the CB on July 1. I also had a cabin with a/c problems (C405) but after a few calls and tries, it was finally fixed. Never chilly, but it at least got comfortable. Being hot at night can certainly put a damper on your trip!

 

Food also is subjective. As a veteran of 28 cruises, I think the food I had on the CB was among the best cruise food I have had. And, I was on the Golden a few weeks later and I noticed that the food was not as good. Different recipes for the Love Boat Dream on both ships btw!

 

Thanks for taking the time to write your honest and fair opinion.

 

Don't let the cheerleaders get to you. i like to read all reviews and your criticisms were not unreasonable. I really dislike it when someone posts their opinion and then are told to go to another cruise line!

[caribill]

Different recipes for the Love Boat Dream on both ships btw!

 

 

Did you find either recipe to taste as well as the LBD tasted a couple of years ago?

[apeller]

Thanks for the honest review. I much prefer people to be honest and give all the facts (pros and cons). The air conditioning problem alone would be enough to ruin a trip. I am glad you were able to overlook some of the negatives and still have a positive experience overall.

[tljc0901]

Thanks for your review!!

[willysgrandma]

Thanks for the review.

 

I love Princess but I have to agree with you about the food - I prefer RCCl's food to Princess and I know exactly why. Princess menus are heavy on seafood and I do not like seafood. There are often two choices of seafood on the menu each evening (besides the always available menu) and I felt that there weren't enough choices of a red meat or chicken. However, I always found something to eat, even if it was from the always available items. But that is my personal preference. My husband loves seafood, so he enjoys the food on Princess.

 

A buffet is a buffet - it is mass produced food so it is never gourmet food, but again, I always find something and surely never starve.

 

If you sail Princess again, try one of the newer ships. I've found we liked the Crown much better than some of the older ships.

 

The airconditioning problems have been documented by many passengers and perhaps the problem with the engine has something to do with it.

[Love Boat Dream]

Did you find either recipe to taste as well as the LBD tasted a couple of years ago?

 

The LBD on the Golden looked more like the old recipe, though it didn't taste exactly the same to me (it was closer though) The LBD on the CB was nothing like the old recipe. They were both delicious though!

 

The LBD in my avatar is from the CB.

[Medic 5]

We were in B305 on the 9/28 sailing, a.c. was our only REAL PROBLEM the food we thought was very good, both Dining Room and buffet.

[Nanatravel]

Can you outline from your recent memory, what the main entree's where on which nights during your cruise? What night was Caribbean night? Did they serve lobster? on which one of the Formal nights? How about Prime Rib?

 

Thanks for your review. Isn't it amazing how things can change over the years, when we loved them so much like the LBD. Did they have an omlet station in the Buffet at breakfast?

 

Thanks again.

Nanatravel

[sssct]

I agree with much of your review. Chose this ship (7/28) for same reasons and becasue we went on the Crown last year and really liked it. Although we had a wonderful, restful vacation, the Caribbean Princess fell far short of the Crown. We have booked RCI Explorer out of NJ for 8/6/09, which we've been on before...

[jhaasz]

I agree with much of your review. Chose this ship (7/28) for same reasons and becasue we went on the Crown last year and really liked it. Although we had a wonderful, restful vacation, the Caribbean Princess fell far short of the Crown. We have booked RCI Explorer out of NJ for 8/6/09, which we've been on before...

 

I was looking at the Explorer for next year but the prices I received were insane - for a balcony and promenade cabin - $8800 - ouch!

 

Just curious - were you able to do better on pricing?

[jhaasz]

Can you outline from your recent memory, what the main entree's where on which nights during your cruise? What night was Caribbean night? Did they serve lobster? on which one of the Formal nights? How about Prime Rib?

 

Thanks for your review. Isn't it amazing how things can change over the years, when we loved them so much like the LBD. Did they have an omlet station in the Buffet at breakfast?

 

Thanks again.

Nanatravel

 

I think I can, let's see:

1st night (Sailaway) - Prime Rib

2nd night (1st formal) - Filet mignon (we skipped this and ate at Sterling's)

3rd night (Bermuda) - French night - I don't remember the menu but I do remember having a cheeseburger (off the kid's menu). The mushroom soup was a huge disappointment.

4th night (At sea) - Cosmopolitan night - Filet mignon and shrimp

5th night (San Juan) - Caribbean night - we skipped this so I am not sure of the menu.

6th night (St. Thomas) - Italian night - we skipped this also so I am not sure of the menu

7th night (Grand Turk) - Crab legs (yummy)

8th night (At Sea) - Formal night - lobster and shrimp (yummy, especially the shrimp - nice and large)

9th night (Landfall) - Prime Rib and Turkey

 

There was an omelet station in the buffet area.