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Name: Ken Wilder
Email: wilderkw@gru.net
Age: 41
Occupation: Computer Systems Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Sun
SailingDate: 14 Mar 1998
Itinerary: Princess Cay, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
FoodDiningRoom: 92
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 92
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 92
FoodLidoDeck: 96
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 92
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 96
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 92
DeckService: 92
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 94
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland: 92
GoodForFamilies: 85
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 90
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 92
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 92
EmbarkDisembark: 96
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 92
Stabilization: 92
ShopsOnBoard: 94
SpaceRatio: 92
OverallCruiseValue: 92
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 02 Apr 1998
Time: 22:57:48
Remote Name: 198.190.223.89
Remote User:
Comments
It has been a few years since my last cruise, so this trip reminded me just how wonderful
it is to cruise! Sun Princess is a
beautiful ship; lots of varnished wood, glass, and brass. The atrium was four-floors of
open, spacious areas, and had two
glass elevators (lifts, as the British call them; P&O owns the Princess ships) and
winding stairs. You go through this area
to get to the dining rooms, shops, pizzeria, excursions desk, and more. The shops were
very clean, not too cramped,
and the prices were reasonable. Several times during the week, they held sidewalk sales -
with reduced prices (including
clothing from islands not on the itinerary).
The staterooms (AKA cabins) were spacious and comfortable, even down in our 6th floor
room. (My travel agent had
even arranged to provide us with a complementary bottle of wine!) There was enough closet
space, three large mirrors,
a tiny refrigerator that included an ice bucket, a free-use safe, a chest and a desk with
more drawers, and a really nice
bathroom. It had racks for washcloths and hand towels, bath towels on a lower shelf under
the sink, enough countertop
space around the sink, and a fairly large shower. I specifically noticed the separate
controls in the shower; one to set the
water temperature and one to adjust the water pressure. And it had a stretch-across line
for hanging wet articles in the
shower. Our cabin stewardess was superb! We always had fresh, clean linen, full ice
bucket, and empty trash baskets.
(We chose not to have her replenish our fruit basket daily.)
As a non-smoker, I thought there were too many public areas where smoking was allowed.
Every other night, the evening
entertainment was in a smoking-allowed lounge. The entertainment was truly enjoyable, but
I was occasionally gasping
for fresh air.
Evening meals were five-course wonders! There were many choices for each course, and there
were four 'always
available' menu items, including steak. Our table of eight had an energetic and cheerful
waiter and assistant waiter. BUT,
they had to provide service to three tables, totaling 18 people. Their service was slower
than desired, and our drink
glasses often sat empty.
Breakfast and Lunch in the dining room was 'open seating', held in only one of the two
dining rooms, and service was
poor. The servers were more anonymous and unaccountable in this manner, and spent too much
time talking among
themselves away from our table. The alternative was the buffets on Lido deck; and they
were great! Most passengers
went there between 7:00am and 4:00pm. Both places provided only tiny, 4-ounce juice
glasses. Free grapefruit juice,
orange juice, ice tea, lemonade, coffee, and milk. Sodas were $1.50 each, and readily
available around the ship.
Four pools (one shallow), and four hot tubs; always occupied, until after 10:00pm. Plenty
of lounge chairs, all around the
ship, in the sun and shade. Plenty of waiters to take your drink orders.
I was disappointed in the pizzeria. You had to sit and order a whole pizza from a waiter,
and were expected to leave a
tip. I had hoped for quick, self-serve slices.
There were six elevators in the center of the ship, that reached all levels, but they were
SO SLOW. Partly because people
would press all the buttons, planning to hop on the first available one. That caused most
elevators to stop on most
floors. If you really want to get around fast, plan to use the stairs.
The kids' area was fairly small, but I saw less than 30 kids on the ship. Supervised
activities for ages 3 to 12, including
crafts, toys, and video games.
Jamaica had the fun Dunn's River Falls (take a taxi, not a boat), but also had security
guards at every corner and every
gate. I saw one local wearing jeans with a patch showing 'DISS USA'. One vendor said
shirts sold for $2.00, then later
said $2.00 off the $18.00 price.
Grand Cayman was clean, uncluttered, and friendly. Left-side driving; all cars stopped for
pedestrians, even if you 'look'
like you want to cross the street.
Cozumel was fine. Great drinks at low prices. Most stores had reps on the sidewalk outside
the stores to 'usher' you into
their store, but they were not unfriendly about rejection. Don't loiter near the street
curbs - taxis drive very fast!
Overall, I enjoyed life aboard the ship, great meals, enjoyable entertainment, and
friendly crew. I am eager to compare
this ship to Carnival's Fantasy in October.
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