Grand Princess Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose this cruise because we are loyal Princess travelers, having completed 15+ cruises with the line, we had never been to Alaska, and we live in the Bay Area - what could be easier than sailing out of San Francisco?
We have traveled on the Grand before, but were quite disappointed to observe the deferred maintenance all around the ship - she is really not so "grand" any longer. The lounges are dark and tired - furniture looking a bit shabby and carpets worn. Worst were the public restrooms! Dirty grout/caulking and some cracked tiles. The Ladies Restroom on Deck 15 had one operating stall on the sail-away evening and the toilet was badly stained with black residue - and throughout the trip several of the public restrooms smelled terrible!
The spa is really not the caliber of other ships. The sauna and steam rooms are outside around the Lotus Pool - no thermal suite as in other ships, this might be fine in warmer weather, but for a cold weather itinerary, this arrangement is not ideal
Cabin Review
Oceanview (obstructed view)
The cabin location is ideal - we love Emerald Deck because it's mid-ship and we can use the stairs to get most anywhere - especially the 7th floor with lounges/performance venues. The view is definitely obstructed - We book balconies on itineraries where we feel we would enjoy them or need them for scenic cruising days. In retrospect, I wish we had booked a balcony for an Alaska cruise.