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Name: Jim Mueller
Email: bigjim@home.com
Age: 47
Occupation: Lawyer
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Dawn
SailingDate: 3/14/98
Itinerary: San Juan Eastern Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 96
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 97
CabinAmenities: 92
FoodLidoDeck: 86
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 88
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 83
GoodForHoneymoon: 75
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 79
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 75
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 92
EntertShowLounge: 78
OverallPortsofCall: 82
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 75
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 80
AirSeaProgram: 85
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 92
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 88
SpaceRatio: 88
OverallCruiseValue: 86
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 Mar 1998
Time: 21:58:30
Remote Name: 24.1.226.94
Remote User:
Comments
Overall the best part of the cruise was the service. It was impeccable. The people
couldn't be nicer or more helpful. We
were surprised to find that there were very few family groups with younger children. The
brochure and materials led us
to believe that this would be a good family cruise but it really is more well suited to
mature travellers without kids. The
kids facilities were nice but the program needs improvement. For example, the evening
program for kids ends at
10:00p.m. but the shows don't end until 10:15 or later, so you have to leave early to get
the kids. On the plus side for the
kids program was a great and very helpful staff. They were trying hard. Another negative
was the lack of a program for
the kids when the ship was in port (which is all day most days) - not good. The ship
itself is beautiful. Lots of room, and
despite carrying over 2000 passengers it rarely seemed crowded. The only time it was
apparent was in the Atrium area
between dinner seatings. Wine choice and service was very limited, a disappointment for
us. Dinner seemed a little
hurried (we were first seating) so I would suggest second seating to those who prefer a
more leisurely meal. Our dinner
pairing (which we are told was prepared by computer) was odd. They put four women who were
'50ish' with a family of
four (two girls ages 11 and 7). We can't understand why they didn't put us with another
family. The pizza parlor (La
Scala) had great pizzas and calzones which our whole family enjoyed. Food choices were
good and there was always
something that sounded good to everyone. Bar service was very good, but we couldn't figure
out why the various bars
priced their drinks differently. For people who love good service, good organization, and
a beautiful ship, this is your
cruise ship. For those who put a high premium on great food and wine, or a really good
kids program, this may not be
the perfect ship for you, but it will certainly be acceptable or better. If you want to
get scuba certified (as several people
did), this cruise is a real plus because of the PADI certification program. Finally, a
word about the ports. Barbados was
unimpressive, but the Harrison's Cave tour was interesting and enjoyable for the kids. St.
Lucia is beautiful, from the
water, so take the catamaran trip. The land part of the land and sea tour was marginal.
St. Thomas was our favorite
port, and a beautiful island, despite the still evident hurricane damage. We took a tour
by cab for two hours that we are
convinced was better than the ship's tour. Our second favorite port was Philipsburg, St.
Maarten. Cute, with nice shops
and shopping, a beautiful harbor. All in all, this was an excellent spring break for us,
the faults we found were relatively
minor in the overall scheme of things.
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