My husband and I booked this cruise because of its itinerary, which we thought would include a restful transatlantic crossing. Did Princess disappoint us on this one! How could we "Escape Completely?"

We have cruised with Princess more than any other cruise line. We have always been pleased with the cruising and the excursions. However, on this cruise we did not receive the value for which we paid for the cruise experience or the excursions.

First, this cruise should not have sailed until Princess readied the ship for the passengers. To begin the cruise, passengers were left in long lines in a thunderstorm while their luggage was soaked from the downpour. Throughout the cruise (from May 5 to May 20), the ship's crew seemed to be preparing the ship for the cruise that left Southampton on the day that we arrived (May 21). The ship was dirty when we boarded--dust and dirt were everywhere; hall carpets were dirty and torn, water was leaking from pipes in the hallways; the water temperature in the cabin alternated between cold and hot and then to being too hot for the remainder of the cruise; amenities (which usually are in the cabin on the day of sailing) appeared over the first 5-6 days of the cruise; new towels appeared on the 14th day of the cruise; warm food on the Horizon Court began on the 15th day of the cruise (heating lamps were installed the night before)--much food was wasted because it was not warm enough to eat; the Purser's staff acted indifferent to the passengers' request to resolve issues. Read more