Caribbean Princess Review

Family Holiday

Review for the Mexican Riviera Cruise on Caribbean Princess
User Avatar
Nursing79
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Dec 2016

We have an Princess Alaskan cruise planned for 2017 & decided this would be a good way to try out Princess for the first time. We have travelled different cruise lines & had never done this itinerary. The first problem was when we were notified about the noro virus on the ship the week before. Then we were asked if we would like to sail another week because finding out on the ship was overbooked. We found out later this is common because they figure some people will cancel due to weather & others due to illness. This should have been a red flag but we were already vested in this with our son. Embarkation was delayed several times due to the virus cleaning but we were notified numerous times. Upon arriving at the port we were encouraged to go to the outlet mall because we would not be allowed in the terminal . We opted to stay even though we were repeatedly told that our boarding time was not until 4:30, which was about a 2 1/2 hour wait. Amazingly we were in the terminal within 30 min & on the boat shortly there after.

Our cabin was ready as they said & buffet opened soon after getting on the boat. Our room steward Gerry was readily available & told us how to get in touch etc. He accommodated us with the third person in the cabin by pulling down the upper bunk. This didn't work out so well , so he brought in a roll away bed the next day. Make sure if you are having 3 adults in a cabin, you opt to have a suite since the cabin is smaller then the Carnival ships which we are accustomed to. We also had plumbing (toilet) problems starting on day 3 lasting for 5 days. Our room steward tried to correct it , the plumber to no avail. We finally tried to speak to hotel management after reporting to the front desk several times. They finally let us speak to customer relations & we did. They did compensate however we over heard staff stating this cabin B505 has had this problem before. Really! Would you book this cabin again?

We had anytime dining due to when we booked. You have to call for a reservation everyday & sit on the phone for at least 10 min., unless you want to wait in a very long line for dinner. Our cruise consultant with Princess told us to speak to one of the maitre'ds and request a permanent dining time. It took 3 days but we did get a 5:30 sitting and a reserved table each night thereafter. Speaking of dinner, the food was warm but not hot wherever we dined. The wait staff seemed overwhelmed in the main dining room & we spent at least 1 1/2 hours dining. In fact one night we left early so we could make the show. We were disappointed to find that eggs benedict were not on the breakfast menu. Something we never get at home and one of the things we look forward to on a cruise. Not until day six did we discover that it is offered on the brunch/lunch menu. So the next morning we asked for eggs benedict for breakfast which were excellent. They don't even have chocolate milk. My wife had the soda package which is kind of a joke & costly. Included with this package is hot chocolate which was on the regular menu. Also you are to get smoothies with that package & all we found was basically slushy mix at the bar. The only diet beverage available is Diet Coke. Other sodas in a can are not included. m Milkshakes are included but you can only get those at the ice cream station(which there is only 1) We tried to order one at lunch in the dining room, & were told they can't do them & asked that we go to the ice cream station.

Cabin Review

Cabin unsure

Get a suite if you have more than 2 people. Those cabins can't accommodate even though Princess travel consultants sell them like that

4 Helpful Votes
previous reviewnext review

Find a Caribbean Princess Cruise from $278

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.