 |
Truely an escape... by
Heidi K. from Anchorage, AK Sailing date: Jan 2010Pros: The staff rocked- they were helpful, fun, interesting, adorable! Cons: Because of rough seas we had to sail on through our final stop: Cobo San Lucas. Many people felt under the weather due to the motion of the ocean, myself included. I honestly had such a good time- I am writing this review to help cope as I return to the reality I had left behind. Ship QualityMy stayroom was on the Plaza Deck, or deck five, and each day en route to the stairs/elevators I walked through the art gallery when leaving or returning to my room. I was pleased that this was my lot! I also loved the feeling of the Lotus Spa, where I participated in the yoga class and ran on the tredmill. And let me add to you ladies, and interested men, those fitness instructors were a fine peice of work! Dining/FoodThe first night was a little rough for our restaurant experience. Everything moved slower that night, and this caused us to be late to the evening theatrical performance. As a party of 10, seated without a reservation, I dare say this is forgiveable. (We were certain to make reservations each night following.)
The food was exciting and enjoyable- always something new to try. Stateroom QualityAlthough this was my first cruise, I heard from others that the rooms were surprizingly larger than expected. I never overheard anyone in the neighboring rooms singing in the shower... or anything like that. Ship Staff QualityThe staff was AWESOME! From the gentleman cleaning our room to the guys running the buffet, from the girls getting coffee and OJ to passangers in the morning, to the absolutely hot DJ of the night, folks were all smiles and joy. They must love their lives, living on the ship... it got me wondering whether I should apply to work on a cruise. Entertainment & ActivitiesI loved the music, live performances, and even getting to be part of the show. The costumes and talent of the Theatre were dazzeling, I couldn't believe the same team could put on so many different shows in one week! The sunshine games were entertaining to watch. The dance instructors were delightful! (Here I am again, raving about the staff... but they truely made the activities what they were, and got everyone in the mood to enjoy!)  4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
  Woinderful cruise by
Kathleen P from Denver Co Sailing date: Dec 2009Pros: Cabin was great, we were on Aloha deck and had great view, also our room stewart Cons: Noticed that prices on some items went up This was our first cruise on the Sapphire Princess. Over all we were very satisfied. The embarkation procedure at LA was very organized, dropped off luggage and then went right through security. The was the fastest we have every boarded a cruise ship. Food was very good. The buffet needs more help in controlling the flow of passengers. People going every way to get they food, somewhat disorganized. Other then that great cruise Ship QualityGeneral areas were alway clean Dining/FoodFood was very good Stateroom QualityGreat room stewart, William Ship Staff QualityVery helpful Entertainment & ActivitiesGreat entertainment 7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Mexican cruise by
Tamara Q from Batesville, AR Sailing date: Nov 2009Pros: The ports and the shopping. Cons: Where our rooms were on the ship and the beds were hard. The ship itself is a nice ship that offers a variety of entertainment and activities for even the most picky passenger. The option of doing the ceramics onboard is a nice feature that is not offered on most ships. Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityThe beds were very hard and made it uncomfortable to sleep on. Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Great cruise by
Paul D from San Diego, CA Sailing date: Oct 2009Pros: food, weather, options Cons: constant selling by Princess staff We loved the ship and the cruise. You can find whatever you want somewhere on the ship, whether it's a quiet place to read or poolside with music and activities. Try the Skyview lounge at Sunset....great view and there's no one up there.
Internet cafe is expensive (.75/min). If you buy a plan the first day you get some extra minutes. Also, they will have mini-plans (15/30 mins) on the last day of the cruise. We found Internet cafes right by the ship in all 3 ports and they charge $3.00 for 30 minutes so we used those. Ship QualityThe ship was kept very clean and shiny by the staff. The layout is a little confusing but once you figure it out it's no big deal. Dining/FoodIt's not gourmet but when you're cooking for 2600 it can't be. All in all, I thought almost everything I had was very good. The staff is always willing to bring you whatever you want in case you want to try multiple appetizers or entrees. If you do Anytime dining, it helps if you find a favorite restaurant (of the 4) and go there each night since the Maitre De will get to know you and make sure you get a good table. Stateroom QualityHad an oceanview cabin and it was fine. Plenty of storage space. The beds a little hard but still slept great. I think I'll get a balcony next time as it gives you more options if you want peace and quiet. Ship Staff QualityEveryone was friendly and helpful. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe generic Broadway style shows were just OK, but the magician and comedians were good. The guys playing in the bars and lounges target people in their 60s and 70s. 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Our least enjoyable cruise by
David S. from Spottsville, KY Sailing date: Sep 2009Pros: The embarkation and debarkation were good andf the ports and land portion were fine Cons: The food and entertainment were not good Overall the cruise and land portion of the trip was good. However, the buffet food was good for about one day and after that it did not change much and was all the same. The scheduled dining had a good assotment of food and the waiter was terrific. There was very little theater entertainment and the other entertainment was cut rate. For being at sea for three days, one would think the entertainment would have been much better. This was my fourth cruise, this time with four other couples and we all agreed, this was the worst cruise any of us had taken. I would not recommend Princess Cruise. The best part was the ease of boarding and debarkation. Ship QualityThis ship is difficult to get around on. It was clean and of sufficient size, just difficult to access different areas. Dining/FoodThe dining times were fine and the scheduled dining room food was good. The buffet was just okay. The pizza was terrible. Stateroom QualityThe stateroom was fine. It was comfortable, clean and overall good. Ship Staff QualityThe staff in the dining room were very friendly. The stateroom person kept the room clean and in good condition but was not overly friendly. The person in charge of entertainment seemed lek he was new and did not know much. the rest of the staff just did their job. Not overly friendly. Entertainment & ActivitiesVery poor entertainment 4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Alaskan cruise by
Al W. from Anchorage, Alaska Sailing date: Sep 2009Pros: relaxing Cons: rough seas Cruise was great, ship looked a lot older than it is, rough woodwork everywhere, I guess they don't build them like they used to. The bonus coupon book from Cruises Only was great as well as their service. Ship QualityClean throughtout all areas, layout kind of hard to get used to. Dining/FoodDining room excellent, as well as service. Buffet food didn't change much daily, just OK Stateroom QualitySmall outside cabin, but we weren't in it much. Ship Staff QualityMost were very friendly and helpful Entertainment & ActivitiesCould use more, varied 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Great cruise by
christy g from Ohio Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: ports of call Cons: ship layout was confusing The ship is layed out very badly. For instance, if you want to go to the lounge on deck 16 you have to go to deck 14 and find the steps to go to 15 and then the escalator that goes to the 16th deck. Lots of "We can't get there from here" moments because of the elevator shafts and stairs in the way. I have been on several cruises and I have never been as confused as we were on this ship. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe buffet was good for about a day, then everything was repeated the entire week. The extra charge dining rooms had good food. Sometimes service was not the greatest, we are not sure if that is because we are young, or the person serving us was bad. Stateroom QualityThe room was the largest I have ever had on a cruise and we had an inside cabin. I was very nice and layed out well Ship Staff QualityAs I said above sometimes we did not get the best service, but other times everything was great! Entertainment & ActivitiesThere could have been more to do while we were at sea. Since it was Alaska, the outside activities did not exist, so I guess the activities were ok considering that 
Collapse List of Ports
Juneau, AlaskaWe went whale watching! Spend the $ and do it here it was great!
Ketchikan, AlaskaTake a seaplane ride.. The Misty Fjords is a beautiful place!
Skagway, AlaskaGo to the Red Onion and take the brothel tour! It was actually really interesting!
Don't Miss: White Pass train ride 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Not our best cruise by
Amanda E. from St. Louis, MO Sailing date: Jun 2009Pros: The ports were great! Cons: The food and service. The ship was nice but the food and service were poor. It seemed like there was a bad climate for the employees b/c we only ran across one upbeat employee that seemed like he wanted to be there and wanted us there. The entertainment was also limited--especially for having 3 days at sea. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodWe did anytime dining and wouldn't do it again. It seemed like our servers weren't motivated. Tips were automatically charged so maybe they weren't motivated b/c even the worst waiter made as much as the one that went the extra mile. Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityThe employees weren't very friendly at all. Maybe they were overworked and tired but there was only one that we had a decent conversation with and believe me, I tried. They were also trying to sell a lot of extras and if we kindly declined we were often asked, "why not?" That got annoying very quickly. Our best service at dinner was ironically when we ordered a bottle of wine. Entertainment & ActivitiesEntertainment was limited. The production shows were good but were repeated several nights.
Collapse List of Ports
Juneau, AlaskaWe took a helicopter ride with Coastal to a glacier--WOW! IT was beautiful! Also, Tracy's Crab Shack by the large boat docks is a must! She was rightfully featured in Food and Wine magazine b/c it was the best and freshest crab legs we've had! A cheap but rewarding trip is taking the Glacier Express ($7/pp/way) to Mendenhall Glacier and hiking some of the easy trails around the visitor's center.
Don't Miss: Tracy's Crab Shack for fresh king crab and take a helicopter ride to a glacier. Ketchikan, AlaskaWe went on what was supposed to be a scenic hike along the waterfront to see totoems at Saxman Village. The walk was long and didn't follow the water for long--not to mention there was a chain linked fence between the sidewalk and water. The totems were interesting but there's several totems on display in Ketchikan. We also went sea kayaking last year but it was right there in the busy part of the passageway so half of the trip was spent crossing the seaport as quickly as you could to avoid large boats and float planes. I would recommend kayaking further out at Orca's point.
Don't Miss: Walk back to Creek Street when the salmon are running. Skagway, AlaskaWe rented bikes and went hiking--very cheap but quite enjoyable. Last year, we took a bus to Carcross and it was a total tourist trap.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Majestic Alaska by
Camille P. from Lake Forest CA Sailing date: May 2009Pros: Glacier Bay Cons: Disembarking in Vancouver This was our second cruise ta Alaska. The first one starting and ending out of Seattle, and visiting Tracy Arm Fjord in lieu of Galcier Bay and leaving from Anchorage and ending in Vancouver. Everything was wonderful as before, but it is just so much easier to take the Seattle Cruise. Vancouver immigration and customs took 4 hours...a terrible way to end what had been a delightful trip. Ship QualityPrincess ships are immaculate. Dining/FoodLots of choices and they are all very good. Stateroom QualityWouldn't know about the inside cabins; we have always had a balcony, which I highly recommend. Ship Staff QualityPrincess employees are there to please you. Entertainment & ActivitiesWionderful options available to please everyone.
Collapse List of Ports
Juneau, AlaskaMt. Roberts Tramway is incredible on a clear day
Don't Miss: Walk up through town and see the Governor's Mansion. Ketchikan, AlaskaLumberjack how is a lot of fun if you haven't seen it before.
Skagway, AlaskaTrain ride up into the surrounding mountains is a must. The grandeur is unbelieveable.
Don't Miss: Train ride. 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Good, but not Great..... by
Allen S from Oakville, Ca Sailing date: Apr 2009Pros: Mini-Suite, Rock Band. Cons: Food, ship layout The organization to board and debark was the best I have seen. We got on and off with no issues. The rock band that performed in the lounge was the best I have heard on any ship, and we have been on a few. However you can see the Carnival influence in the food. Fish was dry, and the overall quality was average at best. Steaks were pretty good, sushi was the worst I have ever tasted. The waiters were very good and personable. Like I said, lots of good, lots of not so good. Ship QualityEverything was clean, however the layout kind of sucked. Dining/FoodThe restaurants themselves were nice, service was great, but the food was very dissapointing. Room service got our order wrong at least half the time. Stateroom QualityLoved the mini-suite, great balcony. Bed was just ok. Ship Staff QualityGreat bartenders, overall very good. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe rock band was fantastic, some of the games were good, wine tasting was fun. 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
|
|
