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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Nancy Baren Miller
Email: miller_team@compuserve.com
Age: 52
Occupation: Travel Writer
NumberOfCruises: 15
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Royal
SailingDate: January 16, 1999 Back-to-back cruises, 14 days ea
Itinerary: Valparaiso to Manaus
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 70
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 75
MedicalFacilities: 95
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 30 Mar 1999
Time: 16:57:05
Remote Name: hil-c45-046-vty121.as.wcom.net
Remote User:
Comments
Royal Princess Review - South America
I recently had the pleasure of cruising on the Royal Princess for
four weeks, in January and
February of 1999, on back-to-back cruises in South America. The first
passage was January 16 to January 30 from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires. The
second was January 30 to February 13 from Buenos Aires to Manaus, Brazil.
Service, food, and entertainment all rated superior. The itinerary was the
best I've taken in fifteen cruises and the activity schedule on ship days
kept me constantly occupied. Crew friendliness and cooperation from key
staff members was more than I expected and as a travel writer had ever
received before on numerous lines.
STAFF
The officers on the Royal Princess are British, including the
doctors, while the food and beverage director, his assistant, head waiters,
and the maitre ‘d are Italian. The head chef we had was German. Wait staff
in the dining rooms and stewards are international. Social hostess, Linda
Slocum, and cruise director, Jim Everett, were from the United States while
his two assistants were from Great Britain.
One way I gauge how successful a cruise ship is relates to the
contentment of its staff. On the Royal Princess, my husband, Earl, and I
quickly gained the impression the crew on this ship operates like a family
and cooperation and teamwork are the key. The impression became correct
when staff constantly told me ‘Royal Princess is their favorite ship.'
PASSENGERS
Passengers are older with an average age of 65 on the South
American voyages. On our cruises, we found most passengers were world
travelers with extensive cruise experience. Only rarely did we find
passengers taking their first cruise. This is not an itinerary for
children, honeymooners, or young families because of time and finances
involved. I did find older families as some middle-aged adults traveled
with parents.
A large number of passengers book back-to-back cruises. Over 200 of
the ship's 1200 passengers booked from Valparaiso to Manaus. One hundred
extended their cruise from Buenos Aires to San Juan after we left the ship
and some circumnavigated South America by taking four cruises.
DINING - FOOD AND SERVICE
The food rated consistently high with the exception of pineapple
brought on board in Valparaiso and a few cold soups early in the cruise. I
learned from talking to Emilio Mazzi, the food and beverage director,
fruits and vegetables came from local sources while meat and fish arrived
from the States. I was surprised Argentina meat isn't used but Emilio
assured me Americans would find it tough.
The variety is obvious since no dinner menu is repeated for two
weeks. This made selection difficult because I often had to choose between
two or three entrees I enjoyed. Vegetarian menus are listed at lunch while
healthy choice selections appear on dinner and lunch menus. Those seeking
kosher or are diabetic can be accommodated if the ship is notified upon the
cruise's booking. Themed nights on both cruises include International
Dinner, Italian Dinner, French Dinner, Captain's Gala, and Captain's
Welcome Dinner.
As on all ships, passengers have an opportunity to review menus
outside the dining room earlier in the day. What's different about this
ship is that you can order special items as late as one meal before and
receive them. If you want prime rib or a tenderloin filet, having these at
dinner is something the galley handles easily.
Passengers can order at dinner Black Angus sirloin steaks, grilled
skinless chicken breasts, or broiled North Sea Silver Salmon filets if they
don't find anything they like on the menu. A baked potato, french fries,
Caesar salad, New York cheese cake, chocolate mousse, and the fixings for
creating your own sundae are also always available. At lunch, hamburgers,
cheeseburgers, or bacon burgers with fries are a ready substitute.
Passengers find popular buffets in the Lido at breakfast and lunch.
Unlike other ships where you eat a buffet because service is so slow in the
dining room, this is not the case with Royal Princess. The service in the
dining room for lunch and dinner was above average and often excellent. It
was only our last two days at sea when breakfast in the dining room seemed
to slow to a crawl. Tables for breakfast and lunch in the dining room are
not assigned which creates open seating situations. Dinner, however, is by
assigned table and time.
Our whole group of eight moved to another table for dinner for the
second cruise because our table was so small. I noticed during the second
cruise that our prior table was used to service six passengers. All eight
of us were delighted with the move as our waiter, Josay, on this second
half of the trip, was a joy with humor, friendliness, and prompt and
efficient service. Although he tried hard, our first cruise's waiter had
been a little slow and robotic.
My husband, Earl, and I like to go to Lido for the variety they
offered where we could pick out what and how much we wanted to eat.
Breakfasts included made to order omelettes as well as a vast variety of
fruits, cereals, meats, cheese, and french toast or pancakes. Besides a
choice of several entrees, salads, and deserts at lunch, we found
hamburgers and hot dogs. Unlike the newer ships, Princess does not have a
separate grill area. The Lido has a separate ice cream station at lunch
which grew popular as we cruised the Amazon.
One day during each cruise, the chef and maitre ‘d prepared from
the Lido a special Italian feast for lunch. It was particularly fun to
watch the staff create specialty pastas. The wait staff in the Lido is very
efficient at times to the point of excess. You have to guard your almost
empty plate to keep it occasionally from being whisked away.
Each afternoon, passengers can have white gloved, formal tea
service in the Riviera Club & Bar. Waiters constantly come around serving
scones, tea sandwiches, cookies, and hot tea. This popular event provides a
great opportunity to stave off hunger pangs and socialize with friends.
At night, the Lido becomes a Bistro/Pizzeria combination
alternative restaurant. For those who don't want a heavy pizza, they can
order a regular dinner. You can dress casually for this alternative dining.
It's a nice convenience for those who don't want to dress for formal or
semi formal evenings.
Room service is provided 24-hours a day with a variety of
sandwiches and salads offered at non- meal times. During lunch and dinner,
your steward can bring to your room items from the lunch or dinner menu.
Fresh fruit is provided daily for those who ask for it.
Princess was the first cruise line to instigate 24-hour food
service outside of one's room. On the Royal Princess, the 24-hour cafe is
located on the Lido Deck with the buffets and later the Bistro/Pizzeria.
Because of this feature, the Royal Princess doesn't offer a midnight
buffet. It does have a small food display several evenings outside of the
dining room and a larger one during one night at sea. However, these
displays are not for eating since the food is out of temperature.
DAYTIME ACTIVITIES
Passengers will find South America cruises relaxing since half the
days are spent at sea. During those days, Royal Princess offers a
comprehensive program of lectures, trivia, aerobics, arts and crafts, and
miscellaneous events such as scarf tying classes and galley tours. The
typical art auctions take place which are found on almost all cruise ships
these days.
Lectures are a big draw. Princess Cruise Lines hires Terry Breen, a
cultural anthropologist with a doctorate in Messo and South America, to
provide a series of lectures on South America's history and cultures. Breen
is an easy going speaker whose encyclopedic type knowledge draws huge
crowds to the International Showroom each time she speaks. Add to this, Joe
May, the port lecturer, who spends several months a year living in his
adopted country Brazil. He provides quality information on the Chilean,
Argentinean, and Uruguayan ports, but it is when he covers Brazilian ports
that he really shines. He is charming, witty, and always willing to answer
questions. Michelle Glemser, the shore excursions manager, gives excursion
talks with slides. With these lectures, passengers come away with a full
appreciation of each port before touching land.
The cruise line also provides other lecturers who cover a wide
variety of subjects. On our first cruise, we had an attorney who lectured
on wills and estate planning. He was interesting and gave pertinent
information to the many seniors on board. On the second cruise, the speaker
covered international relations. I found him rambling and one was lecture
was enough for me, but my husband enjoyed this man.
The ship provided arts and crafts sessions during the second cruise
each day at sea. Projects ranged from making gift bags to paper flowers and
purchasing needlework supples. Galley, but no bridge tours, are scheduled
each cruise. For security reasons and so staff can give ample attention to
interested passengers, cruisers need to contact the purser's office if they
wish to tour the bridge.
Aerobic classes are big on this ship. They range from easy classes
for the beginner, to several walk-a-miles each day, to advanced aerobics.
Those who attend receive $.50 cash coupons at each class toward the
purchase of Cruisercise clothing and accessories from the boutique. This
program occurs while at sea and in port.
A well-equipped health center contains Lifecycles, an 11-station
multi-gym, two saunas, two massage rooms, and an indoor hot water spa.
Steiner, the ship's only concession, offers a variety of specialized spa
treatments.
Golf, shuffleboard, and ping pong tournaments were held several
times during each cruise. Attendance was greater during the earlier part of
both cruises for these activities but dropped off as each cruise
progressed. Tournament winners received gold medals which they proudly
wore.
The ship has a large lap pool on the Sun Deck and two smaller pools
with an outdoor hot spa on the Lido Deck. I was surprised to see people
swimming when we were in Chilean Glacier country.
Trivia is popular on board. Morning, afternoon, and evening trivia
sessions are conducted with winning teams receiving small prizes such as
key chains or pet rocks. Name That Tune occurred on each cruise. Often I
found the same passengers playing trivia.
The ship shows ten different current movies throughout each 14 day
cruise in the ship's theater. They're presented in the evening then the
following afternoon. A few carry over from one cruise to the next while
most do not. You can watch movies on your cabin television or ESPN,
Discovery Channel, and CNN. Port and excursions lectures are taped and also
played on cabin television sets.
The casino contains 104 slot machines, black jack tables, Caribbean
stud poker tables, plus a roulette table and a craps table. I peeked in
occasionally but never played. Traffic in the casino seemed minute compared
to other ships I've cruised. Bingo sessions are always popular on the Royal
Princess.
Daytime activities are keyed down drastically when the ship is in
port as is typical for most cruises. You'll find aerobics classes, trivia,
and movies but not much else. Jim Everett told me he would like to do more
on these days but attendance really drop when the ship is in port.
EVENING ACTIVITIES
The age of the Royal Princess shows in the International Showroom
as it only has one level compared to the new ships with two level
showrooms. While this limits the complexity of the productions, it's not a
drawback. Instead it allows for intimacy between performers and audience.
All evening shows are well attended since entertainment is
excellent. Before each evening show, the International Show Band, composed
of six musicians, performs while audience members dance on stage. The
orchestra was the best I have heard in many cruises. Each cruise has six
high energy production shows with lead singers and dancers that make the
audience want to cheer. Cabaret nights filled the other evenings. They
included talented musicians on piano and clarinet, very funny comedians, a
ventriloquist, female impressionist, and a magician whose humor enthralled
the audience.
During each cruise, Princess presents a Pub Night typical of those
shows on all their ships. On the first cruise, during the evening of the
Super Bowl, staff organized a Super Bowl Party in the Horizon Lounge
(observation area at day, disco at night). Amidst decorations, interested
passengers watched the game while enjoying hot dogs, pizza, and assorted
junk food. On the second cruise, staff held Island Night on deck with
games, streamers, and dancing to the ship's bands. I would like to see a
barbecue or buffet added to this one. Emilio advised me that was being
planned for the next Island Night.
After the show, the passengers tend to reveal their age with many
retiring for the night. The ship does have alternating trios in the Riviera
Club & Bar, a large-all purpose lounge, but these aren't well attended.
Mike Rorah, a quality vocalist/pianist plays easy listening music in the
Princess Court, an open area on the second floor of the Atrium.
EXCURSIONS
Prior to South America cruises, Princess Cruise Lines send out
cruise forms and an easy to understand excursion book for selecting tours.
It's quickly discovered South America is limited in several ports when it
comes to tours. Some guides may be hard to understand and buses in Santarem
don't have P.A. systems. However, since signs in South America museums are
only in Spanish, to comprehend what you see and to learn about these
countries' different cultures, I strongly suggest taking tours.
One stop at Boca da Valeria, an Amazon village of 75 people, does
not have a tour. The rest of the ports have at least two tours with six or
more offered in Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Montevideo, and Puerto Varas.
Considering the isolation of many ports which increases the costs, the tour
prices were generally good values.
Some, such as the morning city highlights tours sell out quickly,
sometimes before the cruise starts. ‘Meetings of the Waters' is the most
popular tour in Manaus as is Puerto Varas's ‘Puerto Varas and Petrohue
River.' Both often sell out.
Unlike some cruise lines, you don't pay for tours before the cruise
but at its end. Passengers have the opportunity to cancel or change tours
prior to a designated closing time, a few days before each port. To avoid
disappointment, select all tours and send in the form before embarking on
any South American cruise.
The excursion staff on Royal Princess is efficient and helpful.
Excursions left the ship in a well organized manner. People waited in
either the International Showroom or the Riviera Club & Bar until their bus
number was called. Then they walked down the gangway and instantly loaded
buses. Tenders ran frequently to and from the ship in the three ports where
the ship anchored during my itinerary. I never had to wait more than five
minutes for one.
A four-page booklet in each cabin provides a map and points out the
attractions for those who want to be independent. You don't have to order a
tour to seek the excursions office out. Michelle Glemser, the ship's shore
excursion manager, reminded me to think of them as the ship's concierge
office. They can arrange private cars, vans, horseback riding, or even
fishing trips.
STATEROOMS
No inside staterooms exist on the Royal Princess. All cabins
include four music channels, color television, a multi function telephone,
a card key for cabin access, a safe, refrigerator, 110 volt current, and
combination bathtub and shower. But the problem with many of the outside
cabins is their small size. The 534 outside cabins, 84 with private
balconies, are only 168 square feet plus the veranda. One bed folds up
against the wall which is necessary for those who want to use their
verandas. For those who book this cruise, it's important to remember that
these rooms are all the same interior size so what you're paying for is the
stateroom location. The ship also have four wheelchair-accessible cabins
that are 256-258 square feet.
We, however, had a mini suite which was 231 square feet plus a
veranda. Compared to other lines I have been on lately such as Royal
Caribbean, NCL, and Holland America, this room was large. I had eight
drawers, shelves, and enough closet space to handle our clothing and my
copious film and writing supplies for the 28-day voyage. Besides the
amenities found in other cabins, we had two chairs and a loveseat, hair
dryer, personalized stationery, refrigerator with free soft drinks, and
complimentary stocked bar. Terry robes, slippers, and stocked cosmetic bags
greeted our arrival. Our large veranda housed a table, two chairs, and two
chaise lounges. What a treat for sun bathing and al fresco dining.
In the mini suites and 12 suites (336 square feet with private
balconies), passengers have butler service. While this adds another tip
level, it's worth the convenience. Our butler, John, did everything from
handle our laundry one day to shining my husband's shoes. Often he was
called upon to bring us room service after our day long excursions. Butlers
also bring nightly hours ‘oeuvres and the dinner menu to the cabin prior to
dinner and can obtain excursion tickets. The ship has three butlers
handling all the suites and mini suites. Room stewards on suite level
maintain the room. Ours did a wonderful job of keeping our cabin tidy and
performing the obligatory nightly turndown service complete with chocolate.
MEDICAL AND HANDICAP ACCESS
Whereas some cruise lines hire doctors for work-vacations, Princess
Cruise Line doctors are full- time permanent staff with ship medicine
regarded as a specialty. All are British-trained. Royal Princess has two
doctors and three nurses aboard who are available via a 24-hour emergency
on-call line in addition to specified office hours. The infirmary is
similar to a fully-stocked hospital emergency room with access via
computers to doctors on shore. For patients who require monitoring, the
infirmary has five beds.
I was impressed with the facilities for the handicapped. A group of
sixteen passengers with severe hearing disabilities was on the first
cruise. They were provided in their cabins TDY equipment which lit up
lights when the telephone rang or someone knocked on the door. They were
provided the front seats as a group in tour buses and at shows so their
interpreter could assist them. The ship allows seeing eye dogs. But Royal
Princess goes further than that since the food and beverage department will
supply dog food and a staff member is designated to take the dog out for
walks. The ship has even offered a special cruise where they made
arrangements for dialysis patients.
The four wheelchair-accessible cabins on board have a bathroom with
no step or ledge, just a slightly raised lip on the shower. Both the doors
to the cabin and bathroom are wider. Twice on the tenders, I watched the
crew lift wheelchair passengers on and off these boats so these passengers
could get to port.
SECURITY
Security on the Royal Princess is taken seriously. Procedures such
as inspecting items brought on board and guarding access is done at all
ports.
Passengers must use their issued cruise cards to check off and on
the ship via the electronic A-pass system. A computerized machine records
passengers' pictures the first time their card passes through. Officers
watch the machine as passengers return to board the ship to make sure faces
match the machine's pictures. This makes it impossible for unauthorized
people to come aboard. The system has other advantages. Missing passengers
can be identified at the end of the day since they haven't checked back on
board. Passengers can be left messages at the gangway to pick up upon their
return. Princess Cruise Line is the only line using this new system
according to Christopher Rynd, Staff Captain.
Passengers are warned about dangerous areas in Montevideo and
Buenos Aires, about not purchasing weapons, and about not buying items
using endangered species. In lectures and in Princess Patter, the daily
newsletter, they're given hints for security on shore such as using the
buddy system to watch their goods while at the beaches.
ITINERARY
Our cruising experience around South America was the most diverse
travel experience I've ever been on and I've visited all the continents
except Antarctica. From the majestic fiords and vast glaciers reminding me
of Alaska's inland passage to rain forests and the muddy, coffee colored
water of the Amazon, each day brought new excitement which I'll never
forget. The quiet primitive villages of Alto da Chao near Santarem and Boca
da Valeria, Royal Princess's tiny adopted village, are memorable as are the
highlights of such huge metropolitan cities as Buenos Aires and Rio de
Janeiro. I'll always picture Rio's golden beaches as well as the city's
Christ the Redeemer Statue playing tag with the clouds. Montevideo's lush
parks and immense bronze statues and Evita's grave with its tiny red rose
are etched in my mind. I can't wait to return to Frutillar's German Museum
near Puerto Montt or visit the family of three generations at Estancia la
Rabida, the Uruguayan ranch, where I saw a folkloric show, puchased
handmade crafts, had a barbecue buffet, and developed a friendship with our
guide who has become a pen pal.
The only changes I would make as far as our itinerary would be to
tour Punta Arenas on our own instead of a tour and a visit to Gypsy Cove to
see the penguins while in the Falkland Islands. I would take the 8-hour
‘Meeting of the Waters Tour' rather than the 15 hour Grand Amazon Tour
which spent too much time on the boats and waiting at the Amazon Lodge.
PROBLEMS
Although this is the finest cruise, I've taken, Princess needs to
address a few problems on future cruises. Some passengers were disturbed by
the policy that they could not buy alcoholic beverages at the boutique for
cabin delivery during the cruise. Two of our tablemates found local grocery
stores at numerous ports to solve that problem. However, they would have
liked to have bought the alcohol in the boutique. Princess allows purchases
but bottles are delivered only at the end of the cruise.
Those of us who had booked back-to-back cruises from Valparaiso to
Manaus received our cruise documents three to five days before the cruise.
I later learned this was due to a malfunction of the machines which
generates the documents. The machines were down for a period of time
causing a backup in processing documents. Princess personnel in Los
Angeles has advised me this kind of delivery time seldom occurs.
Regarding air, two more of our tablemates missed the first two days
of the first cruise due to poor air/sea connections starting in Illinois.
They did receive some financial remuneration from Princess. We booked a
two-day package in Santiago prior to the cruise. Due to a blizzard, we
would have missed one day if we hadn't changed our originating flight time
in Cleveland to earlier in the day. Princess cruise line staff needs to
give more thought to scheduling flights during the winter.
Sixteen cruise passengers who tried to embark in Buenos Aires were
not allowed to board when they could not produce a Brazilian visa. They
caught up with the ship in Rio. They became angry at Princess because of
this. I don't believe they should hold Princess responsible. It's up to
cruise passengers and their travel agents to know what shots and visas they
require before taking any exotic cruise. Such information is available on
the Internet and in guidebooks.
On the ship's behalf, I saw problems solved within 24 hours after
they occurred. Two of my tablemates had a room under the Lido and were
disturbed at 2 a.m. for two nights by noises generated from the Lido's
galley. This was at the start of the first cruise. I reported this to the
purser and our tablemates never were disturbed again. One man I met at
lunch advised me he was a diabetic who did not see any sugar-free deserts
at the Lido. I checked the situation out with Emilio and reported back to
this gentleman that these deserts were available if he asked for them. The
chef sent a sugar-free cake to this passenger's stateroom.
Royal Princess and NCL's Norwegian Crown approached within a few
miles of Puerto Madryn but could not dock because of high winds. We stayed
later than the Norwegian Crown hoping we could still get into port but left
eventually at 11 a.m. Tour refunds were promptly issued that day and a new
program of activities planned within a few hours.
ASSISTANCE TO ME AS A TRAVEL WRITER
On board Royal Princess and since I came home, I have received
complete cooperation and assistance from all Princess Cruise Line staff I
have dealt with. Sonia Johnson, chief purser, turned over her o
ffice to me for four hours so I could conduct six interviews. Emilio Mazzi
brought me menus without my asking and gave my husband and me a private
tour of the food provisions area. Joe May, the port lecturer, accompanied
us at Boca da Valeria answering my questions and pointing buildings and
people out for the story I am writing on this village. Christopher Rynd,
staff captain, prepared a sheet for me answering my security questions.
After I returned home, Denise Seomin, Public Relations in Los
Angeles, immediately answered my e-mails for follow-up with the ship within
24 hours. She also made key staff aware that I was coming on this voyage so
interviews could be instantly set up. The Public Relations office also sent
flowers for our cabin on our original embarkation.
When I was asked the same questions constantly by passengers on
travel writing and photography, the cruise staff made it possible for me to
give a lecture on the subject. Jim Everett, cruise director, created a
space on his comprehensive program and the purser's office made 30 copies
of a hand-out for me.
I have been on many cruise lines and never has this kind of
cooperation and friendship happened before. Because of this and what I saw
on this ship, I am now convinced that the best cruise line is Princess. I
was told by various staff members that if they an do anything to
accommodate a passenger, they will. I believe it and look forward to many
more cruises with Princess Cruise Line.
Name: Rose Oropeza
Email: oropeza@flash.net
Age: 62
Occupation: Retired
NumberOfCruises: 13
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Royal
SailingDate: March 27, 1999
Itinerary: Buenos Aires - Barcelona
FoodDiningRoom: 75
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 70
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 80
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon: 75
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 23 Apr 1999
Time: 18:14:21
Remote Name: p180.amax39.dialup.hou1.flash.net
Remote User:
Comments
We sailed from Buenos Aires on March 27th, everything went very smooth and on time. The
weather during the whole trip
was very good since in South America they are just starting the fall season and after we
crossed the Ecuator it was starting
the spring season, the weather was warm in the day but you needed a light shawl at night.
First stop was Montevideo it is a
nice city with lots of parks, plazas, museums, casinos shops, a nice place to visit for a
few hours. Then we had 2 days at sea
before our next stop in Rio de Janeiro, the weather did not cooperate there since even if
it was warm but it was cloudy and
interfered with the fantastic views. The main attractions are the Sugar Loaf mountain,
Christ the Redemptor and the fantastic
beaches of Copacabana & Ipanema. After Rio we had another 2 days at sea and arrived to
Recife that is very pretty, it has
Spanish Colonial architecture. The views from the Cathedral are really spectacular.
Leaving Recife we crossed the Atlantic
and the Ecuatorian Line, it took us 3 days to reach Dakar. Dakar is not for the faint at
heart, from the moment you step out
of the ship you encounter a sea of vendors, they all have something to sell you and they
do not take NO for an answer, it
was very upseting to most people. You have to "bargain" to purchase anything, to
give you and idea I wanted to buy a wood
carving, the vendor asked for $120 and I got it for $10. They ask the first price it comes
to their minds. After Dakar we had
another 2 days at sea and reached beautiful Madeira, it was such a contrast with Dakar
that we all liked it a lot. After that we
went to Casablanca where we took a very interesting tour to the Rabat, then we visited
Gibraltar and went to the top of the
Rock, it is also a beautiful Port of call. Then another day at sea and arrived to
Barcelona. The Royal Princess is an older
ship but we loved it. It is medium size and has lot of deck space, our cabin was regular
size and it was always clean and tidy.
The staff is great, they really will do anything to make you happy. The food is accepable
but not spectacular, we ate most of
our meals at the main dinning room since the food at the Lido is really not very enticing.
There is always something to eat
and it is plentiful but not great quality. Another thing that needs improvement is the
movies they show, they were old and not
the classics, just old.... there was not that many people in the theatre. The shows were
the standard fare of any cruise, their
musicals were better than average, but the comedians and other acts were boring. Over all
we had a great time, and we will
definetly take another cruise on the Royal Princess.
Name: B. Ploch
Email: bppmlp@aol.com
Age: 70
Occupation: Rretired Attorney
NumberOfCruises: 9
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Royal
SailingDate: September, 1998
Itinerary: Montral to New York
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 84
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 88
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 07 May 1999
Time: 18:14:11
Remote Name: spider-tm011.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
Comments
This was our ninth cruise. Of course your first cruise will always stand out in your mind
because you will be awed by so much
food, service, entertainment,etc.. We have cruised Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise
Lines, Cunard, Celebrity and
Princess. We have never had a bad cruise but some were better than others.
We found the food on the Royal Princess to be on a par with or better than all ships we
have sailed on with the exception of
the Celebrity Line.
We found the entertainment to be good but too much emphasis on musicals which we found
true of other Lines as well with
the exception of Royal Caribbean. I prefer a greater diversity in the show lounge
entertainment. On some former cruises
ships exchanged enterainers when they were in the same port of call on the same day.
The service on board the Princess was exceptional in all phases of their operation as was
their safety instructions. After a
few cruises, you get tired of the mandatory lifeboat drill, but Princess was exceptional
in this regard.
Our ports of call were Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, Nova Scotia, St. John, New Brunswick,
Bar Harbor, Maine, Newport, Rhode
Idland, Boston and New York. All were wonderful as well as the shore excursions we took
with the exception of St. John (don't
miss Newport--we took a tour of the Mansions in the morning, returned to the ship for
lunch and then tendered back in to
stroll the streets and enjoy the sights in the afternoon).
Our only problem was disembarkation in New York which was delayed because the bus company
which was to take us to the
airport did not have sufficient busses there on time for one reason or another.
Overall, this was probably our most enjoyable cruise. We are looking forward to September
26th when we will sail on the Sea
Princess from Vancouver, British Columbia to Hawaii.
In my opinion cruising offers the finest vacations we have ever enjoyed and the best value
for your dollar.
God willing, we plan to take our two sons, daughter-in-laws and five grandchildren on a
cruise on Jan. 2, 2002 to celebrate
our fiftieth wedding anniversary and the ninth wedding anniversary of our younger son and
daughter-in-law who chose to be
married on our Anniversary, in the words of our daughter-in-law, because we seemed to have
had such a successful
marriage.
Bon Voyage!
Name: Caryn Erdberg
Email: ssbeagle@yahoo.com
Age: 49
Occupation: Acquisition Management Clerk
NumberOfCruises: 9
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Royal
SailingDate: Feb 13, 1999
Itinerary: Amazon
Cabin: C122
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 75
FoodRoomService: 50
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets: 75
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 97
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 70
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff: 65
PrivateIsland: 0
GoodForFamilies: 40
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors: 98
BeautySalonStaff: 92
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess: 45
ExerciseFacilities: 69
EntertShowLounge: 96
OverallPortsofCall: 99
BeautySalon: 99
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 70
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities: 99
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 60
DeckSpace: 98
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 96
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 30 Aug 1999
Time: 21:20:46
Remote Name: onefifteen.cyou.com
Remote User:
Comments
We had to stay overnight in Ft. Lauderdale before we caught the charter flight to Manaus,
Brazil where we
embarked on the ship. Everything was handled exceedingly well. Our luggage was checked
directly at the airport
except for the overnight bag for our hotel stay. Buses were comfortable and
air-conditioned; the hotels we were
put up in were first class. Our flight on Tower Air was smooth and on-time and we liked
the kit bags we were given
on the plane which included playing cards, lotion, razor/shave cream, comb, toothbrush,
etc. As check-in had
been completed in Ft. Lauderdale, we were taken directly to the ship once we cleared
immigration in Brazil.
This was our second cruise on the Royal Princess. The ship is a true classic. Its size of
1200 passengers is just
right (I find I don't like the larger ships). All cabins are outside. Even though our
cabin window was supposed to be
fully obstructed, we could still see out the bottom of the window. A tender blocked the
top half. It was the same
cabin we stayed in on our first cruise on the Royal. It was quiet and conveniently located
to everything.
One of my favorite things about the Royal is the open deck space. On Dolphin Deck the
promenade goes
completely around the ship. Most of the other decks also have outside deck space for
viewing purposes. I liked to
go out to the front of the ship on our deck (C Deck) and watch when we came into or left a
port.
Our itinerary was wonderful. We began the cruise in Manaus using our ship as a hotel for
the first night. We took
the jungle trek tour and the boat ride to Lake January and the Rio Negro and city tour.
Fascinating flora and
fauna were seen. After leaving Manaus we sailed down the Amazon stopping at Santarem. We
also stopped at
Devil's Island, LaGuaira, Venezuela, Curacao and finished up in San Juan Puerto Rico.
The cruise staff were very friendly and enjoyed what they did. We truly had a good time
and would go back on the
Royal Princess again.
Name: A.R. Barb
Email: tonyb@iguana.ruralnet.net
Age: 49
Occupation: Petroleum Marketer
NumberOfCruises: 9
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Royal
SailingDate: April 30, 2000
Itinerary: Western Mediterranean
Cabin: A336
FoodDiningRoom: 74
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 94
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 94
CabinQuietness: 94
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 94
ShoreExcVariety: 88
FoodVariety:
DeckService: 86
ShoreExcValue: 86
GoodForHoneymoon: 80
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 70
LoungeService: 96
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 86
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram: 88
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 92
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 92
DeckSpace: 86
Stabilization: 92
ShopsOnBoard: 86
SpaceRatio: 94
OverallCruiseValue: 88
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 16 May 2000
Time: 19:58:52
Remote Name: dial-110.14.limco.rmi.net
Remote User:
Comments
We booked the 12-day Royal Princess western Mediterranean cruise (Barcelona to Lisbon route). We
flew Delta airlines from Denver to New York and on to Barcelona. Delta should be called the Sardine
Airline because they pack people into their seats with shoehorns. If you are over 6 foot tall, be prepared
for 7 hours of misery. We flew in a day early to Barcelona and stayed at the Meridien Hotel. It had a nice
central location right on a walking promenade where there was a lot of local activity and near several
major sights.
Embarcation was a snap and well-handled. We were fortunate in that we had booked a small room with
balcony and were upgraded to a mini-suite with a large balcony. Our room was really large—12 foot wide
by 22 feet long (not counting the balcony), I felt I was in a Best Western motel room.
The Royal Princess is a comfortable small ship. It does not have the glitz of the bigger, more modern
ships, but was more like a favorite pair of jeans— - worn, but comfortable. The staff was one of the
friendliest we have come across in 9 cruises. It is small and easy to get around in. Now for specifics:
Itinerary: this is a busy cruise, with ports almost every day. One thing you must reconcile yourself to is
that every stop will involve crowds. Huge crowds. And this wasn’t even summer season yet. Not just from
the ship, but from tourists from every possible source. If you do not like crowds in ports, this may not be
for you.
Malta was very interesting— - picturesque harbor and buildings. The war rooms where the invasion of
Sicily was planned were really interesting—you don’t need a tour for this. It is within walking distance of
ship. Sicily was very pretty and the Taormina tour was worth the money, but again, be prepared for
crowds. Sorrento, Italy, was OK, but people who went down the Amalfi coastline were very impressed.
We made the mistake of only going to the town of Capri and failed to go on over the mountain to
Anacapri. All there is in Capri are cheap tourist-junk shops along the pier. Rome was crowded and the
traffic insane. Don’t take a taxi anywhere- -you can walk faster than the cab can negotiate the streets.
Consider the subway—very fast. Also, be aware that if you just want to see the Sistine Chapel, you will
be forced to walk for an hour through the Vatican rooms before you finally get to the Chapel. This can
be interesting if you like church art, but irritating and time-consuming if you are not. Livorno (Florence
and Pisa) is a nice, genuine Italian town, with no crowds because all passengers are on tours. We took
the wine-tasting tour to the Tuscany hills and it was a nice break from cities and crowds. We could not
land at Cannes due to bad weather, so the ship simply slowed down and gave everyone a nice day at
sea. Gibraltar was a pleasant surprise. We expected nothing there, but found the view from the top of
the Rock great. The caves are interesting, and the town itself is just like you are in England. Fish and
chips with beer made a perfect day. We really liked Gibraltar. Casablanca was interesting, but not as
exotic as we expected. Really just another big city. The Mosque was huge and impressive and the
tile-work and mosaics very intricate. The last stop was the ending port of Lisbon. We stayed two days in
Lisbon and got around the city well by using the 50-cent for all day subway.
The food was disappointing. In fact, it was probably the worst food we have ever had on any cruise. This
surprised us because Princess and Holland America always were neck-and-neck on food quality. Fish
was mushy and stale. The lobster was the exception and was excellent. The pasta course usually was
above-average, but soups were tasteless or boring. Even the desserts weren’t that great (how do you
ruin a dessert?) I finally started ordering the meat dishes because the fish was so bad. I noticed that the
vegetarian menu was more extensive than most ships, but do not know how they tasted.
The waiters were excellent and friendly- - too bad they had to serve mediocre food. The Italian table
captain usually cooked a good pasta course. The bar staff were equally friendly and gave good service.
In fact, the entire crew were extremely friendly. You said ‘hello’ dozens of times a day.
The dancing is very important to us and it was better than average. The bands themselves were not all
that talented, but they played a good variety of dance music, from every type of ballroom to salsa and
even a little country western. The other thing we liked is that they played even while the nightly show was
on. We do not usually go to shows, and dance instead. Other ships shut their bands down during the
shows.
The gym was small but functional. It was never crowded because the older passengers never went
there. The jogging deck was the promenade deck, which was narrow. The crew always seemed to have
a portion blocked off, so you would jog to the barrier, turn around and go around the ship to the other
side of the barrier, then reverse again.
Do not expect the shows to be extravaganzas like on Carnival or the bigger ships. The stage is very tiny.
We cannot rate the shows because we only saw parts of a couple. The comedian was a throwback to the
1950’s in Vegas. We did not want to see him at his second appearance. The singers did an admirable
job with a review of the music through the decades, given the size of the stage.
This is not a ship or a cruise for children. The passengers were generally pretty old and after a long day
in port, the bars were mostly deserted by ten pm. The disco which began at 11:30 pm was non-existent.
Smoking was not a real problem. Smokers generally stayed to their areas, so the ship did not stink like
the Carnival ships, which do not enforce smoking areas. However, remember that the ports are all
European, so cigarette smoke onshore can be unbearable at times.
Disembarcation went smoothly, transfers to hotel and airlines no problem. The Lisbon Meridien Hotel
was pleasant and had a great hotel restaurant. We normally don’t eat at the hotels, but their food was
exceptional (the best on the entire trip) and inexpensive.
All in all, we enjoyed the ship and the cruise. We felt like we saw a good sample of the Mediterranean
with all the port stops. Just be aware of all the crowded ports and mediocre shipboard food.
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