With Princess, we always say, you know what you're getting. In fact, we get some surprises too, despite the fact that we've cruised with this line often enough to qualify for Elite-level benefits. This time, a simple winter-break trip for us, we noted some improvements and a number of less pleasant changes.
In the former category, the cruise director and most of his staff were the best we've sailed with in many a year. Billy Hygate, the CD, was the best performer on board, a song-and-dance man who told funnier jokes than the comedians hired to make us laugh. His performance of 'If I were a Rich Man' was superb, equal to the best on the Broadway stage. Billy's young men handled their duties with humor and skill; Alex, Martin and David will each make an excellent CD in due course. Sadly, the deputy CD lacked such talent, despite her other abilities: she insisted on haranguing and bullying the audience into making the responses she wanted to hear whenever she got the chance.
Overall, our progress to and from the ship was smooth and efficient. (I can't blame Princess for wanting to charge us $70 for a bag three pounds overweight). The Princess rep at LAX was helpful and charming, though those near the pier, where we waited 35 minutes in our bus before entry, were unhelpful and more dedicated to flirting and joking with each other.
A228 -- This is the standard balcony cabin with the outside area taken from space that would be included in the standard ocean-view layout. The balcony is covered and less than 30 square feet, with two low chairs and a small table. The balcony door is heavy and robust.This cabin on Aloha Deck (12) is one flight of stairs below Lido Deck. Because it's near the bow, getting to eating areas means lots of walking, though access to the Princess Theater is easy. With the door closed, you'll hear PA announcements but won't be able to pick out the words. No laundromats or other noise-makers nearby.