Grand Princess Review
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8th Princess cruise, 3rd on Grand. We were just on this ship 9 months ago but didn't recognize any crew. With a travel group of 60-- no wait for embarcation.
ROOMS: Balcony, aft, Aloha deck 12. Enough room. The smallest balconies, room for 2 chairs and small table. The panel dividing balconies can be opened for a narrow pass through if you have travelmates next door. The wind made things out there rattle a lot. Nice new soft mattress, covered with a sheet and a duvet– thank you Princess for adding the sheet!
ACTIVITIES: Lots to do, often hard to choose. Princess is open to so much: LGBT, bible study, knitting, games, bingo, music, book club, choir, dance lessons, friends of Dr. Bob & Bill W, teachers, photography, stargazing, Spanish, art history lectures. There was no naturalist or any kind of port lectures. Aaron McCarthy was the CD and showed up at major shows for cliched ‘put your hands together.' There is not a good place for cards or games; the library is too tiny.
Response from TaylorW, Social Team, Princess Cruises
Cabin Review
Balcony
Don't take a cruise to stay in the room. It was big enough, much roomier than our RV. Balcony is small, room for 2 chairs and table. TV is terrible. New mattress, now includes sheet and duvet. The shower has a shampoo and body wash dispenser but couldn't see which was which, and I'm picky so I bring my own.
Port Reviews
Puerto Vallarta
Walked across street to Wal-mart. Changed a $20 bill into 370 pesos. Walked into the shopping center. Food court upstairs. I try to learn the local phrases and not assume everyone knows my language. Asked the server, 'Ingles?' 'Oh, no,' she looked panicked. So I stepped up, 'Dos Super Whopper.' haha.
Out on the boulevard, we had been advised to ask a cab to the 'flea market.' Sounded better to me than El Malecon. Buses, I heard, are about 80 pesos. We ask a cab driver how much. 100 pesos. Our party of 4 negotiates 80 pesos (huh?!). We jump in with a bus honking behind us. He takes us to El Malecon! We stroll it for awhile then look for a cab back. $10US! Whatever. Cabs are a much better adventure than buses.
Manzanillo
Strolled the shops within easy access. More visible poverty here. The protected port marketplace as good a place to shop. Picked up a few treasures at each.