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Topic: Grand Princess? Comments?

CherylGail
Just Boarded
Member # 894

posted 11-11-1999 05:05 AM

I would love to hear from people who have cruised on the Grand Princess. Comments on food/dining experience, service/cruise staff, and onboard activities would be greatly appreciated! Is this ship suitable for young adults as well as a "seasoned" cruiser? Any info would be great!

Posts: 9 | From: Canada | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

cruiseman
First Class Passenger
Member # 885

posted 11-11-1999 09:56 AM

Cheryl,

I sailed the Grand Princess last December and had a fantastic time. I'm in my 30's and I'd say there was indeed something for every age. The disco on the ship was literally "out of this world". One of the best at sea with a nice mix of ages. Age group I experienced was probably a good mix of youngsters to geriatrics.

Service was impeccable! The dining room experience was the best I've had on the 10 cruises I've taken. The busboy, waiter (which had boarded the same day from the Sun Princess) and the assistant head waiter were extrodinary! One day while in the lunch buffet line on deck I happened to notice our busboy headed for us. He was actually out looking for us because one of the members of our group had asked about an specific entree and he wanted to inform us it was being served in the dining room that day for lunch and thought we might want to dine there. Needless to say we proceeded to follow him and had lunch vitually everyday in the dining room with our waiter and busboy. Outstanding service. Food was of very good quality although I didn't care much for the pizza served at Posiedens Pizzeria. The food in the southwest resturuant was very good but the service was lacking there. Never ate in Sabatini's Trotorria.

Nice casino and big. Not as glitzy as Carnival's casinos or Las Vegas but I did win $250 in the course of the week which was nice.

Entertainment on board was pretty good. The shows were good but not outstanding. They did have one comedian on board that was histerical but didn't do a late night show for adults which I've always enjoyed.

Lap pool was nice but overrun with kids and the wave machine. The solarium pool never got much use as they kept the cover on it at all times for air conditioned comfort. The main outside pool was pretty crowded but never had a problem finding deck chairs.

I had a verandah cabin which was nice but not worth the money on Princess as all the balconies overlook each other as they are stair stepped so you have no privacy whatsoever. People a deck below you can look up and right onto your balcony. Poor design.

That's about it for now...go and enjoy. It's a great cruise for the first time cruiser or a well seasoned cruiser.

Posts: 59 | From: Leavenworth, KS, USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 11-11-1999 03:37 PM

I had a great time on Grand. There was plenty of young adults on my cruise. Make sure you keep a pocket map handy with you at all times, you'll need it. My favorite feature is the wrap around promenade. My seven year old and I had a blast looking out towards the ocean from the bow.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

hma109
First Class Passenger
Member # 593

posted 11-11-1999 05:45 PM

I went on the Grand Princess in May with my parents. I had an awesome time. The ship is beautiful and there is always something to do. There was a good mix of ages too. The staff is excellent, especially our waiter Catillo. Our head waiter, Ennio was very friendly also. Have a great time. If you see either of them, let me know.

Posts: 28 | From: Sinking Spring, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 99 | IP: Logged

mark lindsay
Just Boarded
Member # 692

posted 11-11-1999 05:54 PM

Sailed the Mediterranean on Grand Princess' second trip. It was fantastic. Best of 9 cruises we have had. Food and service were outstanding. Entertainment was best we have experienced. Great exercise facilities.
Many veteran Princess passengers were on board because it was a new ship, so the age group tended to be older but there were all age groups there. Princess gives good service without the commercialization you get on some lines. You'll like the ship. Easy to navigate, despite its size.

Posts: 7 | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Gene from the Cape
Just Boarded
Member # 899

posted 11-12-1999 06:59 AM

My wife and I had absolutely the best time we've ever had. This in spite of the fact that I had the flu! The staff was super - my wife has food allergies and they bent over backwards to make her happy. The entertainment was for the most part great - one pretty bad comedian who's jokes were definitely from the Ed Sullivan era, and I wish at least one of the lounges had jazz, but these are small complaints. The process of boarding and disembarking was very easy, and we enjoyed the stops in St. Thomas and St. Martin. We cruised during the Feb. vacation week so both the ship and the ports were crowded, but the ships is laid out so that you really don't have to be with crowds if you don't want to. We did have trouble getting deck chairs - don't be afraid to move peoples' stuff off a chair if you make a circuit of the deck and a chair with a towel on it is still unoccupied. You may get a dirty look or comment when the person comes back (maybe an hour later!), but the written policy on board is that chairs cannot be "reserved". Some people will go up on deck before breakfast, lay out a towel and book, then go back down, have breakfast, shower, and come back expecting to find their own personal deck chair waiting! Sorry, it doesn't work that way! We stayed on our own for shore excursions and did just fine, although some people said they did enjoy some of the planned shore activities. Be sure to reserve early if you want to do any of these, right after you board, if possible, as they fill quickly. The only complaints we heard were from experienced cruisers who I suspect will always say that the last cruise they were on was the best, no matter how many they take! We're booked for a cruise on the new Ocean Princess in April. WE CAN'T WAIT!!! Have fun!

Posts: 5 | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

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