I just returned from a Western Caribbean cruise on the Grand Princess (3rd time on this particular ship) and my second cruise within a 4 month time frame. My daughter in Texas had finally succumbed to the pressure of her parents telling her how wonderful cruising can be and that the Grand is really grand and booked it for February 18, 2006. This was an ideal time as her sister was coming to Texas to visit from university in Ottawa, Canada for Reading Week. My daughter and her husband had a mini suite on the Dolphin deck and my other daughter and I had an inside stateroom on the Emerald deck. This was a first for me as I had always had a mid ship balcony stateroom on one of the upper decks. The movement wasnt the problem as much as the creaking in the walls whenever there was movement. My daughter and I kept looking at our watches the first night hoping it would soon come to an end. Thank goodness the seas were calm the rest of the cruise.

Our room steward never greeted us and never once introduced himself. The only way we knew his name was from the card in the room. The room was small but liveable but the lampshades were two different colours (one white and one crème) and the shower still had soap from the people who had disembarked in the morning. The toilet had not been cleaned either. It was done by the evening though. This was not the Princess I had raved about but used the excuse that maybe we had been allowed to board too early.

The hostess at the Michelangelo Dining Room never smiled and went about her business as though she was doing you a favour. The last night she allowed a table of four go before us even though we were there at least 20 minutes before them. I asked her if I had missed the pager giving her the benefit of the doubt, even though I knew I hadnt as I held it in my hands. Without lifting her head she said youre next. She knew she had made a mistake. I suggest that she moves on or Princess, force her move on. She is not customer service oriented. The Maitre D was not much better and took offence to us telling him one night our wait staff was not up to par. We told the truth when asked by him how we had enjoyed the meal. If you do not want to hear then dont ask. We are not complainers but my son in law had to keep reminding them to pour the $100 bottle of champagne and to refill the water glasses. It also took 2.5 hours to have dinner. There was just too much time between courses. Read more