GRAND PRINCESS REVIEW - MARCH 3-10, 2007

Overall, had a great time. Would recommend this ship for an enjoyable vacation. I tried to include some of the smaller details that might be helpful to others. Sorry this is so long.

We arrived around noon. Registration was fast and very efficient. There was a long line but it moved very quickly and we were aboard the ship within 20 minutes of arriving. The ship is huge. It is in great shape. Everything (carpeting, etc.) seemed to look near new. Went directly to room to drop off some items. We were in a partially obstructed view room on the Emerald Deck - room E410. Having taken most of my prior cruises on Carnival, the room looked very small although nicely furnished. Was surprised to see that the layout of the room was as pictured in the layout drawn and not of the picture shown in the Princess website. Headboard of the bed was against left wall leaving window area open for viewing outside. Picked this room because it was between the lifeboats but the scaffolding went out approximately eight foot preventing you from looking down and there were other bars and barrels partially obstructing your view also. You could see directly straight out and at least see the waves going by. The hanging closet was adequate as was the shelf space that included a digital safe. There were plenty of quality wooden hangers in the closet (not permanently attached to the bar). Suitcases all fit under the bed. Loved having a refrigerator in the room. Brought extra water and diet Pepsi. The ice bucket was kept in the refrigerator which prevented it from melting so fast (kept all day). The hair dryer was on the wall next to the desk and worked just fine (took my travel one but didn't need it). Could have used a few hooks on the walls for coats, etc. The beds did not seem hard but did seem to sag. The bed did not bother me but my husband complained of a backache by the end of the week. The beds had quality duvet covers on the quilts which were very nice. The shower was good. There was plenty of hot water and there was a nice shower head. Toiletries supplied included shampoo, conditioner and lotion in cardboard containers that seemed to be quality products "eucalyptus scented". We are both warm-natured. The room was fine most times but did seem to get warm at times despite keeping the air conditioning on as high as it would go despite it being cool outside most of the week. I always bring a small fan I found that has an alarm clock in it which is great after taking a shower to get dressed with. There is only one outlet with two plugs in the entire room that wasn't being used (another in the bathroom), so do bring a plug adapter and extension cords if you need to plug in multiple items. My husband and I both use CPAP machines for sleep apnea and I was glad I brought 2 - 15 foot extension cords or we would not have been able to reach the left side of the bed. Our room steward, "Arnolfo", was a charm. He always asked us if we needed anything and even called someone to fix our slow running sink drain which we didn't even complain about. The room seemed to have a slight sewer-like odor in it especially as the week wore on. I have noticed this on most ships I've been on. Bring a room deodorizer (both stickup and spray). They were replacing carpeting in many of the staterooms when we left (our carpeting looked pretty new). The laundry room on this floor had 3 full sized ironing boards and irons in it. The lifejackets are much nicer than other ships I've been on (not so bulky). They also don't make you wear them (just try them on) for the whole muster drill or make you go outside. Read more