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Princess Cruise Line

MS Grand Princess

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Mary Devine
# previous cruises: 8
Date of Trip: March 29, 2002
Itinerary: Caribbean - Eastern

I found the crew to be extremely polite and helpful and friendly. To have a crew seemingly happy with what they are doing is very important to me. This cruise company is worth a try. If, however, one tends to be seasick, I found this ship to roll and vibrate. So beware.

I found myself to be very comfortable in the atrium area. There always seemed to be a pianist or some quiet entertainment and was very relaxed here. Keeping in mind that I went on Easter break and many families are on vacation, the pools were full but you could be comfortable. The pool areas had ample chairs and deck attendants were helpful if chairs appeared to be saved, they made sure lounges were not monopolized for too long. Adult only pool aft was quite pleasant.

Food I would rate excellent even on the buffet. However, I booked for late- seating and was waitlisted. Friends of ours booked in November and didn't get late-seating at all. Personal choice dining didn't seems to work well at all. We always found a 30 to 40 minute frustrating wait for a table. When checking with our waiters they said most people eat between 7P.M. and 8:30P.M. and that's what causes the delay. That's why I wanted traditional dining but they seem to want to push personal choice. I did not frequent any alternative dining options because most passengers we spoke with didn't feel that it was worth it.

This was the real down-side of our trip. Golden Princess sailed completely booked. Our cabin was inside on Emerald Deck (8th deck) as far forward as you can get and was a cabin for 4. Since we were only 2, we had to put up with banging doors, kids jumping from upper births and running through hallways all night long. The sleep we did get was poolside afternoons. This problem could be avoided by sailing when the kids are in school. However, my husband is a teacher and I can't avoid these particular trips. In addition, there was a tremendous banging, which we reported to the purser and they quickly sent an officer to our room. He claimed that it was waves. We didn't have waves on the 8th deck. Seas were calm but this ship banged and vibrated like we were caught in a storm. Our friends were on Lido deck and they experienced the same banging noise. The ship, in my opinion, sails like a pig.

Entertainment was okay but not the best. The usual jugglers, magicians, etc. The dancers were the best I've seen in a long time.

Activities were good and the usual eastern carribean itinerary. The weather was sunny but hot.

Again, many kids but some with disappearing parents. Really crowded and if I could I would travel at another time. Since no one out there including Princess seems to have control over 8 year olds, I had a polite talk with 2 little barefoot roadrunners in my hall, who agreed to be less noisy. They stopped the running and throwing pizza at one another outside my door, but forgot to not lock out little sister. So she screamed for about a half hour. I lived poolside. There was security on board but I don't know where they were hiding.