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Flights from Gatwick to Montego Bay with Thomas Cook were excellent. Plenty of leg room and staff were very good. Meals were usual standard, and we saw a recommendation to bring a sandwich in case you got hungry.
Embarkation went very smoothly as we just went through 'customs' at airport, where just checked documentation, and on to a waiting bus. Customs again at port, but went through quickly to the ship and were soon reunited with our luggage in our cabin. Cabin was adequate with a balcony, but with doors open, had quite a nasty smell of sewage. Learnt to keep them closed!! Sewage smell also in corridor and on top deck of ship throughout the cruise. Heard this was something that was ongoing for years. Hoped that with refit it had been elevated.
Having cruised with Celebrity we had high expectations, as had been told that Princess was even better. Very disappointed with the shows as had expected West End quality and more like East End Working Mens Clubs. Comedians were dire! Our children's school productions were better.
Also disappointed with the food. It was good, but the selection was lacking in the main dining room and the service was very disappointing. However the selection of food in Horizon was good and catered for most people. We too were overlooked on many occasions as the staff seemed to avoid making eye contact with customers. In the bar we sat for over 30 minutes waiting to be served and eventually had to go to the bar ourselves and fetch a drink. We would not have minded if the bar had been busy, but it was almost empty with more waiters wandering around than customers. However, room service was excellent, and we made the most of this by ordering breakfast and afternoon tea on most days so we could sit on our balcony and just enjoy the peace and tranquility.
Islands that we visited were lovely. On the whole we did our own thing and had a fantastic time, but on the occasions we went with the ship's tours, they too were excellent.
On the whole I wish the Americans would stop knocking the ship because it was geared towards the Brits. It certainly was not up to the standard we would expect, and I am sure it was more down to cost cutting. The reason the shows were empty was because they were repeated and were bad enough the first time round, so why should people put themselves through it for a second time.
I would certainly rethink going with Princess again. If that is what an American line thinks is suitable for the British, they can think again. We too want better quality of entertainment, service and food selection and much less use of the tannoy system and football blaring out on MUTS during the afternoon. We want to relax and be spoilt - very much in the same way as the Americans.
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