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Name: Jesse Stiller
Email: JStiller@erols.com
Age: 48
Occupation: Bank regulator
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Sun
SailingDate: Aug. 15, 1998
Itinerary: Anchorage to Vancouver
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 98
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 98
LoungeService:
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 75
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Aug 1998
Time: 12:06:27
Remote Name: 204.151.246.2
Remote User:
Comments
cruise review was so useful in helping plan our cruise that I
wanted to return the favor. In effect, that means affirming what
most previous writers have
said about Princess in Alaska. This was a superb family vacation.
Our kids, ages 11 and 14, had the time of their lives. I'm not
sure that would have been
the case during the first or last few weeks of the Alaska
cruising season, however, when the passenger mix would be even
more stacked with senior and
near-senior citizens. As it was, of 2250 passengers on our
voyage, a time when school was out nearly everywhere in the
country, there were a mere 80
teenages and about the same number of 9 to 12 year olds. If you
care about your kids having playmates, you should book your dates
carefully.
Three items to which previous writers have taken exception
deserve some mention. First, we too, were somewhat disappointed
with the quality of the
entertainment. You might be, too, if you expect more than the
standard lounge acts. Princess devotes considerable resources to
its entertainment, which
suggests it could improve upon the incredibly banal
"Pirates" show, which features energetic and able
performers who deserve better material. One
welcome surprise the last night was the appearance of veteran
comic Marty Allen, who accompanies his singer wife in a cute
routine. For me, the
entertainment highlight was the outstanding string quartet which
performs before dinner and in concert during the voyage.
Second, I've seen some complaints about the shore excursions.
These seem to me less justified. They ARE expensive -- but
generally no more expensive
than booking them yourself ashore. It is possible to book
different tours to the same places for less, but there's no
telling what you'll get. We did the
Mendenhall River rafting trip, which, while our least favorite of
the three excursions we paid for, was meticulously organized
(Princess's hallmark) and
very attentive to the passengers' safety and comfort. Who knows
what precautions other organizers might take? Aside from
consistent quality, booking
the excursions on board also offers the convenience of paying for
them all at once by credit card.
Finally, I would disagree with criticisms of the food. We had
always excellent food in the main dining room. Good steak,
lobster, king crab, swordfish,
salmon were to be had. Our kids, who are relatively adventurous
diners, had the opportunity to try things they never would have
otherwise --- rabbit,
pheasant, caviar, escargot. And, of course, the service is
impeccable.
Those who quibble with the quality of the buffet, I think, miss
the point. The idea is to get in and out more quickly, and the
steam table is unkind to most
food. Still, there was good quality to be had, with the usual
breakfast items and fresh seafood salads and carved meats for
lunch. Generally, things were
quite appetizing, although the crowds, especially after the main
dining room closed for breakfast at 9, sometimes made getting a
table a challenge.
Princess gives good value. For example, we ordered a "taking
of vows" package to celebrate our 25th anniversary. At $119,
it sound expensive. But it's
not in comparison to what one gets: a good bottle of champagne
delivered to the stateroom, complete with a long-stemmed rose; a
formal portrait
mounted in a frame that would cost $30 or $40 in a department
store; a lovely dignified group ceremony, conducted by the
captain and his officers,
which included flowers for both of us; and a set of engraved
champagne flutes. Incidentally, we received a notice in our
stateroom that, given the
concerns some participants expressed about carrying glassware
home, Princess had adopted a policy of sending them by mail after
the cruise was over,
at no additional cost. That kind of thoughtfulness was typical.
The few snags we encountered are hardly worth mentioning in
comparison to the overwhelmingly good time we had. We're looking
forward to our next
Princess cruise.
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