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My husband & I took a taxi and arrived earlier than our check in time at Southampton and our luggage was taken from us by the porters there. After a short wait having priority boarding we were called to the embarkation desk for passport checking and then security. We then boarded the ship and were able to go straight to our cabin where our luggage was already waiting. We were on deck 14 a balcony cabin L254. The cabin was spacious with plenty of storage space. We met our cabin steward Caesare who looked after us very well
Before unpacking we went to the Horizon buffet restaurant for some lunch. The first thing I noticed was that although hand sanitisers were well positioned not many people were using them. There was a good choice of food, the cold displays and salads looked very fresh and appetising as did the sweet display. The hot food display did not look as good, many of the dishes looking very similar. We only visited the Horizon twice during the cruise, preferring the main dining rooms.
We were booked for anytime dining and went to the Michelangelo restaurant where there was a very good & varied menu and there was always an alternative menu of prawn cocktail, salmon, chicken or steak. The menus were so good we didn't feel the need to try the alternative restaurants charging a supplement. For breakfast we always chose waiter service in one of the dining rooms where the choice was very good and the waiters very obliging. On deck 14 there is a pizza and hamburger counter. there was also an ice cream parlour which was complimentary which is not the case on all ships
The new Atrium is a lovely area serving drinks, tea coffee, and all day snacks ideal for lunch and great for cookies. There is also a restaurant serving great pizzas. My only complaint was that on port days it was very draughty as the disembarkation doors were close by.
We were disappointed in the daytime events during sea days. Always very similar so not so good with 4 days at sea. The evening entertainment was very good and varied.
On the 1st night the Captain did warn us the crossing through the Bay of Biscay would be rough and it was.
The covered pool area was very popular on cold sea days with the hot tubs well used. There was plenty of seating inside whilst it was cold outside.
The ports of call were interesting and many people enjoyed the trip to Paris from Le Havre particularly the American and Canadian passengers Vigo in Spain was a pretty quiet town. Lisbon is an interesting city with plenty to see. The hop on hop off bus is a good way to see the city. We then had a day at sea before reaching the Azores. We walked around the town in the morning and then took an afternoon excursion to the lakes. Very beautiful countryside and a most enjoyable trip.
4 days at sea and then Bermuda, sadly it was raining but we caught the ferry to Hamilton to look around. Some people took the local bus around the Island. My only regret was that we didn't have very long in Bermuda
One more day at sea before Fort Lauderdale, disembarkation was fine until we got off the ship but we were then faced with long lines in the heat waiting for taxis, not Princess fault. All in all a lovely cruise and we are already looking for our next Princess cruise.
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