Topic: Grand Princess!

Hi All!

It's a very long time since we went on a Princess cruise. But there is one we are fancying on The Grand. A 17 nighter round the med. next year. Sorry to say I cant be bothered to go through all the reviews. I would rather ask you lot.
We have been on Ventura twice so have a good idea of the layout. I have read good and bad. What do you think? Anyone been recently? Thanks!

Carol

I was on her in May - during the Noro outbreak

personal opinion

Found her very dark
Noro spoilt my cruise, didn't use pools,whirlpool etc as had seen kids throw up in them
MDR food ok, but no salt/pepper on tables as noro
Buffet poor selection
Good sailaway party from Gibraltar
Entertainment ok on the whole, production shows good, Cruise Director always in smoking bar with a pint in eve (it was next to theatre)
Wouldn't do Grand Princess again (ship to dark, felt lacking light)
Didn't write a review as it was all doom and gloom

happy cruising whatever you choose

Carol, we were on Grand Princess last year and this and we like this ship.

I wouldn't compare the two cruises because as Helen said, the norovirus did affect the whole atmosphere on the ship. Everything was fine until the last 3 days of the cruise after we left Gibraltar. When we came home we thought, probably not go on her again. However I think we've changed our mind about that now as the first time was really excellent and the reviews since May have been better.

What you've got to bear in mind is that although the lay-out is almost identical she is a much older ship than Ventura and is apparently due a re-fit.

I would recommend Princess to anyone but I've never been on a P&O so can't compare them. Another thing to consider is that the price of drinks is much more expensive than P&O.

Hope this helps.

Nearly EVERYBODY seems to agree that GP is in need of a refit!

Hi Carol,If you click on this link, it will take you to a thread that I started following our trip on her in May:

http://www.cruises.co.uk/24-princess..._subjects.html

We enjoyed it, but I guess everyone looks for something different in a cruise!

Lizzie.

QUOTE:

Nearly EVERYBODY seems to agree that GP is in need of a refit!

And a refit she is getting in April next year!

Debbie

QUOTE:

And a refit she is getting in April next year!

Debbie

Thanks for that info. Debbie. Also thanks to everyone else who has responded. Still trying to decide. But your comments help a great deal.

When on Crown Princess last month I was told that Grand Princess will be having more than a refit, she's getting a 'Retro-Fit' which entails:
Dry-docked,
Replacement of some engine components
Full internal refurbishment including replacement of all furniture
Additional fittings to bring her into line with Golden and Star (Does that mean an International Cafe?)
and
This one I'm not sure about - rebuilding the Atrium Staircases so they are the same as Golden, Star, Emerald, Crown, Ruby, etc - I can't quite work that one out unless it means getting rid of the 'footbridge' that cuts across the atrium from decks 6 to 5 and that is serious structural alteration!

Dave

I believe she is indeed getting an International Cafe, amongst other things. I'll find out for myself next year when we sail on her just after the refit (28th May to the Fjords).

Debbie

And I'll be on her the week after (I lost out to Mrs Piermaster) for her first and only Canaries trip 4-15 June.

Dave