Topic: Just back from Grand Princess - Warning contentiuous subjects!!

QUOTE:

Thanks Neil.

Brian, going to check my Lottery tickets soon - Fingers Crossed!! No, if she has got rust I didn't see it!!

Thanks Marie and Wen, next cruise already booked Wen, Queen Victoria to Venice!

Aplmac, sorry we collect the cards too! But I promise I will 'loose' mine on the next cruise and send it to you!!

Thanks Edna, I will try and put our photos on soon, so you can get a 'taster'

Thanks Issy, I truly believe hand washing and gel are the key to avoiding some of the problems. I also bought an anti viral foam from Boots £2.99 which we used in between whiles.

Suzan and Jaggs, so very glad you enjoyed the cruise too.

Dell Boy, I absolutely agree about different experiences, hence why I wrote this:

"This is of course just our personal view, and I am sure there will be other views of this same cruise. I have written this for others who are due to sail on Grand Princess in the future & hope it is of help. For us, despite the setback, it was a very positive experience."

Spartan, I rushed back specially! ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope it was THE train set!!

Regards to all, Lizzie.

Thanks Lizzie

Poop, Poop another diesel locomotive for the collection :D
I must wave the green flag to let it out off the station ;)

We were on the same cruise, and I agree with you on some of the issues. However,
*Selection of foods in horizon court was not excellent. Compared to our experiences on MSC, P&O and Thompson breakfast was boring. Bakery,desserts and fruits were very good.. . Alternatively,You could have your breakfast in DaVinci Restaurant but you could not order full english breakfast.
*In our opinion, drink prices were not reasonable, compared with the three other cruise lines we have travelled with. Compare it with P&O , sister company..and you will see the difference! Princesses, Soda and coffee packages were very good value and we were very happy with this.
*If you read Princess Patter carefully, you would see that SkyWalkers was open for kids disco everynight until 10:30pm. Then adults only!
*There was already strike in Oslo before we left Helsinborg.Why would you go somewhere if there is a strike. We just went up there to pick some crew up and drop some back. Captain did have no intention to stop in Oslo. If you search princess cruisess history, especially grand princess,you would find 2 in every 3 voyages has miscall of port presumably for saving money on port taxes&fees
*Captain had enough time to subsitute Oslo with different stop. After leaving Oslo we jst returned down Oslofjord and it was not a ''slow tootle'' as the Captain's log clearly shows the speed was the same.
*People were complaining about the Casino closing early. Their argument was,Captain made announcement earlier on that the casino would be open till late at night (confirmed on Princess Patter). So why the rush to get back to British waters? If we were in British waters why then were the Duty Free shops open and Casino not?
*Waiters were brilliant and helpful.My son had wonderful time in Children's Club. We enjoyed Bernie Flint, Stardust and Cinematastic Shows. Our room was very good. We had some enjoyable meals. However comparing to the other cruise liners we travelled with this was the poorest in our opinion.

Hi Bob,

I am not going to comment on the food or comparisons with other ships, because clearly we have different views on the same experience, which is absolutely fine.

However, I am intrigued how did you find out the strike was on when we were in Helsinborg?

As to the Duty Free Shops, they closed early as well! I am sure from the cruise lines perspective they would rather have had them all open to make more money! My main point on that, was the aggression shown towards the staff because of the closure of the Casino. Totally unnecessary.

Regards, Lizzie.

Hi Lizzie,
We were told by friends who live in Oslo, of the strike and we checked online on our return.
I mentioned we had some good meals but overall we have experienced better.

Hi Lizzie

How refreshing to hear a good review about the GP we have heard such negatives this will be our first cruise next week we have booked an ordinary cabin as we thought this would be sufficient have we made a mistake and do you think we will be offered an upgrade?

QUOTE:

this will be our first cruise next week we have booked an ordinary cabin
as we thought this would be sufficient ===> Inside? or Ocean View?
have we made a mistake? and do you think we will be offered an upgrade?

Grand Princess is similar to Caribbean Princess
which was our last cruise ship.

We had lowly Ocean View Cabin P 241 on Plaza Deck
found it quite comfortable if not extravagant!


On a lower deck, you'll feel less motion, if any.
If you booked an Inside cabin, do try to bump that up to an Outside "Ocean View" cabin.
You'll get a large,sealed, picture window -makes a difference.

Balconies are OK if you can afford the extra
but bear in mind you'll be riding considerably higher in the hull
and motion becomes an issue, particularly if towards either end of the ship.






.

Thanks very much APLMAC pictures lovely as you say first cruise you can put up with anything, we have got inside cabin, all that was available

QUOTE:

Thanks very much APLMAC pictures lovely
as you say first cruise you can put up with anything, we have got inside cabin, all that was available

OK so you got an Inside: that'll be much like what I've just shown you
except there will be a curtain across the wall where the big window might be instead
if that makes any sense to you.

Your cabin TV can/will serve as your window to the outside world
- for ascertaining day/night and wot's the weather like.
Many ppl tune in to the ship's webcam channel which shows a view from the bridge: it suffices.


This was our Plaza Deck -very nice.


When you board, ask if there's an Ocean View come available since your booking.
You never know: ppl do cancel.

In fact speak to your travel agent or whoever booked you,
and let them know that if/when cancellations of any Ocean Views happen, you want it.
.

QUOTE:

Hi Lizzie

How refreshing to hear a good review about the GP we have heard such negatives this will be our first cruise next week we have booked an ordinary cabin as we thought this would be sufficient have we made a mistake and do you think we will be offered an upgrade?

Hello Haigy,

I am sure you haven't made a mistake at all! There is nothing wrong with an inside cabin. I am claustrophobic, so choose a balcony so that I can get outside! If I wasn't we could do more cruises!!

We booked a mini balcony suite this time as it was such a good deal, the offer of the paid upgrade on top of that was a real bonus, as it was so reasonable. Has never happened before, probably never will again!

You never know they might upgrade you to an outside, but if they don't, as many will tell you, you probably won't spend very much time in your cabin anyway! As you can see from Aplmac's photos, you will be fine.

Have a great time, if you go with the attitude that you will have a good time - you will! Just steer clear of the 'Moaners' or as I call them 'Drainers'!!

Regards, Lizzie.

QUOTE:

Hello Haigy,

You never know they might upgrade you to an outside, but if they don't, as many will tell you, you probably won't spend very much time in your cabin anyway! As you can see from Aplmac's photos, you will be fine.

Have a great time, if you go with the attitude that you will have a good time - you will! Just steer clear of the 'Moaners' or as I call them 'Drainers'!!

Regards, Lizzie.

May I second that ? Avoid all moaners as much as possible and not only on a cruise ! As Lizzie has implied , they drain your happiness and well being . Have a lovely cruise.