C
coiran
Guest
Just read a ship review by FRUSTRATED and I certainly hope they never cruise Princess again - especially on any cruise that I may be on - They are the ultimate complainer!!!
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fusco9800
Guest
We were on the same cruise as FRUSTRATED and I believe this review summarizes accurately many of the disappointments that other passengers faced. This was my first Cruise with Princess and I have only been on one prior 7 day cruise and a 3 day cruise with other lines. Despite these frustrations, I highly recommend a cruise to Alaska -- we had beautiful weather, scenery, etc etc etc...
There are some areas that this ship needs to improve on and those areas are customer service,embarkation, and disembarkation. My fiance and I were fortunate to receive fairly good customer service... but we also heard several situations where customer service was VERY poor.
There are some areas that this ship needs to improve on and those areas are customer service,embarkation, and disembarkation. My fiance and I were fortunate to receive fairly good customer service... but we also heard several situations where customer service was VERY poor.
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Beryl
Guest
I just read this review too! I'm sure Frustrated was very disappointed but things do go wrong from time to time, no matter what line you cruise.
I have heard that there are problems with embarkation and debarkation in Seattle. One hopes that in time these problems will be sorted out. In the past, I have found that Princess is among the easiest cruise lines to deal with when it comes to getting on and off the ship.
I think you can be quite sure that the problems with hitting the pier in Victoria were not intentional. We will have to wait and see what the outcome of any investigation is to find out what actually happened. I think it premature to blame the "Wonderful Captain".
As for missing flights....this is always a chance you take when you book your own air arrangements. Most folks gamble and for the most part are winners at this game, but never forget that it is a gamble and you could lose
! Most of us are so concerned about missing our flights to board the ship that we book our flights to arrive at the port city at least one day in advance of sailing. Sometimes we forget that our ship may be delayed getting back in to port putting our homeward bound flights at risk.
I certainly hope Frustrated was kidding about taking candles onboard to use in case of blackouts. Take a flashlight by all means, but don't put your cruise ship at risk by having open flames on board! Can you imagine the chaos that would be caused by a fire aboard a cruise ship!!! (Please don't use candles in your cabins for romantic ambience either!!)
I am sorry to hear that cruisers had to stand in line for so long while waiting to get off the ship for tours in Juneau. This is the only port that the reviewer mentioned this happening so I think there must have been a problem in Juneau. Had I been waiting in line for so long and finding the standing difficult I think I would just have retired to one of the many lounges on board to wait until the problem sorted itself out!!
I am truly sorry that Frustrated was so disappointed in his/her cruise. I hope that once back at home and well rested that it will be the wonderful moments and beautiful Alaska that are remembered and not the frustrations.
I have heard that there are problems with embarkation and debarkation in Seattle. One hopes that in time these problems will be sorted out. In the past, I have found that Princess is among the easiest cruise lines to deal with when it comes to getting on and off the ship.
I think you can be quite sure that the problems with hitting the pier in Victoria were not intentional. We will have to wait and see what the outcome of any investigation is to find out what actually happened. I think it premature to blame the "Wonderful Captain".
As for missing flights....this is always a chance you take when you book your own air arrangements. Most folks gamble and for the most part are winners at this game, but never forget that it is a gamble and you could lose
! Most of us are so concerned about missing our flights to board the ship that we book our flights to arrive at the port city at least one day in advance of sailing. Sometimes we forget that our ship may be delayed getting back in to port putting our homeward bound flights at risk.I certainly hope Frustrated was kidding about taking candles onboard to use in case of blackouts. Take a flashlight by all means, but don't put your cruise ship at risk by having open flames on board! Can you imagine the chaos that would be caused by a fire aboard a cruise ship!!! (Please don't use candles in your cabins for romantic ambience either!!)
I am sorry to hear that cruisers had to stand in line for so long while waiting to get off the ship for tours in Juneau. This is the only port that the reviewer mentioned this happening so I think there must have been a problem in Juneau. Had I been waiting in line for so long and finding the standing difficult I think I would just have retired to one of the many lounges on board to wait until the problem sorted itself out!!
I am truly sorry that Frustrated was so disappointed in his/her cruise. I hope that once back at home and well rested that it will be the wonderful moments and beautiful Alaska that are remembered and not the frustrations.
L
ljeanbrown
Guest
I can see how some things could be frustrating, but I just can't take this persons review too seriously.It would not stop me from sailing Princess again. I take all reviews with a grain of salt and then judge for myself :wave
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p.g.
Guest
I would agree there were perhaps some problems on this cruise, BUT... honestly that review was so poorly written, and without supportive statements, that I too would take it with a " grain of salt".
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Princess Pat
Guest
I'm in a big hearted mood today and I can sympathize with the frustrated cruiser based on our recent Princess cruise.
During a really rocky passage we stood, hanging on to whatever was available in crowded hallways, at the front of the theater of the Star Princess (a small area with stairs), a long time before the cruise director's staff announced that the show was canceled. Earlier, the Patter explained the cross currents in the strait we were crossing and how disturbing it could be. When we hit it during the first seating of dinner, with the bridge's knowledge of our location and the weather conditions, the cruise director could have canceled earlier. To add insult to injury (take that as an off-hand phrase), they offered a "women's movie" as an alternative--Mona Lisa's Smile.
Embarkation was mishandled for Platinum, Princess-air arrivals. The designated line was right at the entrance to the terminal's boarding area so all the other passenger's had to pass through it to get to their lines--right from the start. Neither were enough agents appointed to handle the Platinum passengers. One would think Princess would use their computer system to decide how many lines to allocate because, based on your booking, they know how many are Platinum passengers and when these cruiser are arriving on the transport Princess booked.
At Myokonos where many, many passengers were ferried to Delos, the path back to the ship was not obvious or specially marked. Only one coach was available, although everyone had been coached over to the ferry in the morning. 90% of the people consequently thought they had to walk around fencing right where it met the pier's edge. People were helping other people on both sides of the fence because it was scary when one misstep would put you in the sea.
Although others disagree with me, I still didn't like being dismissed from the Captain's Circle party 10 minutes early. They had 1 1/2 hours to get ready for the next party, and what's to get ready--pick up the drink glasses. That's what the waiters are doing throughout the party. It's not like they have to set tables or even wash the glasses.
Anyway, Frustrated, you have my empathy today. I liked what you said about the contract. Wish I could think of quick comebacks like that and then say them.
During a really rocky passage we stood, hanging on to whatever was available in crowded hallways, at the front of the theater of the Star Princess (a small area with stairs), a long time before the cruise director's staff announced that the show was canceled. Earlier, the Patter explained the cross currents in the strait we were crossing and how disturbing it could be. When we hit it during the first seating of dinner, with the bridge's knowledge of our location and the weather conditions, the cruise director could have canceled earlier. To add insult to injury (take that as an off-hand phrase), they offered a "women's movie" as an alternative--Mona Lisa's Smile.
Embarkation was mishandled for Platinum, Princess-air arrivals. The designated line was right at the entrance to the terminal's boarding area so all the other passenger's had to pass through it to get to their lines--right from the start. Neither were enough agents appointed to handle the Platinum passengers. One would think Princess would use their computer system to decide how many lines to allocate because, based on your booking, they know how many are Platinum passengers and when these cruiser are arriving on the transport Princess booked.
At Myokonos where many, many passengers were ferried to Delos, the path back to the ship was not obvious or specially marked. Only one coach was available, although everyone had been coached over to the ferry in the morning. 90% of the people consequently thought they had to walk around fencing right where it met the pier's edge. People were helping other people on both sides of the fence because it was scary when one misstep would put you in the sea.
Although others disagree with me, I still didn't like being dismissed from the Captain's Circle party 10 minutes early. They had 1 1/2 hours to get ready for the next party, and what's to get ready--pick up the drink glasses. That's what the waiters are doing throughout the party. It's not like they have to set tables or even wash the glasses.
Anyway, Frustrated, you have my empathy today. I liked what you said about the contract. Wish I could think of quick comebacks like that and then say them.
K
kruznut
Guest
:wave I think we should consider the possibilty of something going wrong is always there no matter which cruise line one sails. Of all the things we could complain about, i think we are blessed to cruise at all. Some people will never be priviledged to experience one cruise let alone be called cruisers. I guess all i'm trying to say is, don't have the mind set that nothing should ever go wrong everything should always go right. Just my humble thoughts. =bigwave =bigwave
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coiran
Guest
Perhaps Princess Pat will not cruise with Princess again - OK BY ME - more available space for Princess lovers.
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sulbig
Guest
I don't think what Frustrated posted was out of line at all. I was on the same cruise. It was entirely accurate. The embarkation was a mess. I was in line for 3 hours and that was with checking my baggage at the airport with Princess (by the way, Princess busted a wheel off of my suitcase between the airport and the pier). So, I didn't even have to stand in the baggage line at the pier. Juneau was definately a mess getting off the ship. Going to a lounge to relax until the rush is over is not an option when you have a shore excursion to get to. Luckily mine was cancelled (lucky?) so I was able to go back to my room and relax on the balcony for awhile and then get off the ship. As for the Victoria accident, I don't blame that on "Act of God". I blame that on the Captain not knowing the capabilities and limits of his ship. This is understandable since it was only his 2nd week in Alaska with a new ship. It was unfortunate, but I would have rather seen the Captain decide to bypass Victoria if he had any doubts if the ship would be able to maneuver in. At least that way I wouldn't be out $500 for a new plane ticket home. When we finally limped back into Seattle, the disembarkment process was just as screwed up. I was under the impression that the reason for Color / Number tags on your luggage, was so that all of the "orange-4's" would be in one place and so on. Not the case. In their rush to get all the luggage off, it was all scattered around and was only grouped by color. Most people had to wander through the piles a few times to find their luggage.
So, I guess you can call me a complainer as well. This was my first cruise, and you live and learn. If I go on another, I will either book a late flight or one the next day. But our travel agent took care of booking this trip, and I would figure she knows what she's doing. Even she said this was the worst cruise mishaps she has heard of.
So, I guess you can call me a complainer as well. This was my first cruise, and you live and learn. If I go on another, I will either book a late flight or one the next day. But our travel agent took care of booking this trip, and I would figure she knows what she's doing. Even she said this was the worst cruise mishaps she has heard of.
