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Sorry that you had a bad experience again! However, you cannot blame Princess for the Sea conditions.
What's the betting that you have now cruise three times with Princess?
quote:Originally posted by jadranjohn:Yes we first timers probably do complain about their cruise. We are voicing our opinion about something to let others know whats up with with a specific cruise. Food and entertainment are the most important aspects of a cruise, the Carribean Princess did not live up to general good quality standards. Watching the cruise director show his ass (literally) in the Princess theater is not my idea of quality.p.s. You guys are sort of funny. Ever sort of work on a cruise ship.
Most of us DO NOT work and never have worked on a cruise ship. We all seem to enjoy cruising and realize that at times things can go wrong-as during any travel expierence. With the mega ships of today it can be difficult to provide a perfect vacation but the trade offs are low fares, good and sometimes great food, excellent service and generally a great vacation value.
quote:Originally posted by jadranjohn:Yes we first timers probably do complain about their cruise.
In fact we get lots of 'first timers' who are over the moon. It's all very subjective - it does depend on your level of expectations. Sorry to state the obvious, but different cruise lines offer different cruise products at different prices. Maybe Princess is just not for you?
Taks a look at outr 'Readers Reviews' menu left.
I actually started to complain a long time after my frist cruise. Back them, in the good old times, everything was perfect.
quote: Food and entertainment are the most important aspects of a cruise
Interesting. I'm yet to go on my first cruise - it's booked (as I'm sure everybody knows by now) for late May in the W Med - but for me food was the third-most important ingredient and entertainment was nowhere. My priorities were a) the ports of call; b) the overall 'cruise experience' - the ship, the company's style, etc; c) the food; d) the cabin; e) everything else!
Oh, and price is in there somewhere, of course, but I suppose the aspects above are after you've decided to spend a lot of cash on the cruise.
quote:Originally posted by Tom Burke:Interesting. I'm yet to go on my first cruise - it's booked (as I'm sure everybody knows by now) for late May in the W Med - but for me food was the third-most important ingredient and entertainment was nowhere. My priorities were a) the ports of call; b) the overall 'cruise experience' - the ship, the company's style, etc; c) the food; d) the cabin; e) everything else!Oh, and price is in there somewhere, of course, but I suppose the aspects above are after you've decided to spend a lot of cash on the cruise.
I remeber the time, when food (especially the quantity) was very important. But today standards ashore are so high, it is nearly impossible for a ship to compete. (inherently limited access to fresh ingredients; "big" restaurants, even on "yacht-like" ships) But as superbe food still is a cruise "cliche" for some people, it is clear why they are dissapointed, even when they get acceptable quality.
P.S.: Also, cruising became very "cheap" during the last years. Some are obviously surprised that their 500$/week cruise is not a five-star expierience. This is, beside other things which shy some people away (not erveryone enjoys wearing a tuxedo), why I think it will be very important for this industry to come up with some new ideas. (e.g.: easycruise)
quote:Originally posted by Tom Burke:...but for me food was the third-most important ingredient and entertainment was nowhere.
I take your point - you are viewing a cruise as a way to see places. I first did this at first. However, I now also consider the onboard experience, too.
I think when you are captive onboard a ship, as you are each evening and during any sea days, the food takes on a special importance. After all just about all cruise brochures boasts about the food - even on budget cruise lines.
Now I'm not really a food 'buff', but the evening meal is one of the highlights of the day, for me. It's not just the food, it is the overall experience. The entertainment after the meal can also be a high-light, if its good!
As European cruises are expensive, at £100 plus, per day, I expect some good food and entertainment for my money.
quote:Originally posted by jadranjohn:I guess I need to spend more to get more. Next time I will try Celebrity.
I'm not sure that's the real solution. I wasn't impressed with Celebrity, personally. Maybe they were just going through a "rough spot" in their history, but I found the food unispired, the entertainment run-of-the-mill, and staff consistently mishandled by their supervisors.
But reading a few reviews before you book a cruise would certainly help. For example, if you read around, you'll find the Grand Princess out of Galveston is consistently arriving too late for shore excursions in Belize right now. Or you would discover that the Norwegian Sea often can't stop in Cancun due to rough seas and a shallow harbor. These are things that you CAN prepare yourself for.
Mike
In terms of tendering in "rough" water vs canceling the call, I wonder if lines are more cautious these days out of fear of gettig sued. You know....a couple people break their ankles or hips getting in the boat in chopy water and all of a sudden the company is negligent.
I'm a bit dismayed at comments that all the Caribbean islands are the same. Yes, today the islands are about swimming sunning and shopping. Yes, many of them were sugar colonies with slaves, yadda yadda, but there is rich history there that goes back to when the USA were still English colonies. As James Michener illustrates, in his historical novel "Caribbean", major events in European history of the 15th - 19th centuries (that's 400 years!) had direct influence in the islands....whether it's the Cromwell revolution in England & beheading of Charles I, French Revolution, etc.
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