Ocean Princess Review

4.0 / 5.0
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Rome to Singapore

Review for Asia Cruise on Ocean Princess
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Cruisin Bear
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Sep 2013

Although we have taken 10 cruises on 6 cruise lines, (Princess is our favourite), this was our first on a smaller ship. We selected this cruise first, because of the ports; second because we were intrigued by the reports on the Ocean Princess.

Unfortunately, both did not meet our expectations - not entirely due to any fault of Princess. As I spent a lot of time travelling in the Far East years ago, those ports there were not that important to see again. The ports of choice for us were Luxor, Egypt (Valley of the Kings); Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt (diving & snorkelling) and Aqaba (Jordan) to see Petra. Unfortunately, Egypt was cancelled (security issue - we agree), but, we weren't notified until after final payment date. C'mon Princess, you had already cancelled Egypt for the Dawn Princess weeks earlier - what's the hold out for the Ocean Princess ? A tiny compensation was offered (port tax refunded), but couldn't another port could have been added somewhere? As it was, we got an extra 1/2 day in Dubai, but I could think of many more preferable ports to spend more time in. The day we were to visit Petra there were labour problems and it was closed - again, out of Princess' control and they gave remuneration (Future Cruise O.B.C.) to those who had booked ship tours.

The Ocean Princess prices are much higher than other Princess ships and we fail to see why - unless she costs that much more to operate. However, what really rubbed salt into the wound was a couple we met who had booked after final payment date and paid a much reduced fare (approx. $6,000 less than we paid for a balcony cabin). The small ship feel was nice, we got to know fellow passengers quickly - the majority of whom were like us, retired and frequent travellers - but, contrary to other reviews, in 28 days we never did see the captain walking around the ship (only at the Capt. Circle parties).

Cabin Review

This cabin is the highest category of balcony, located mid-ship on Deck 7. Although nicely fitted out with lots of wood and lots of ambience, it was not ideal for a 28 day cruise. The wardrobes were insufficient - the first was full height and 33" wide; the second 16" wide with drawers in the bottom 1/2; a shirt hanging area (with coat hanger bar still intact) in the upper area. Unfortunately, the shirt area was where the fridge was located. 33" of clothes hanging area is not enough for 2 adults on a 28 day voyage. Many items remained unpacked. The desk was very small. One chair (well-worn too) was not enough; although there was a small couch. The table got in the way so much that we folded it up and stored it. The cabin felt a little smaller than on other princess ships, including the size of the balcony. Steward service was commensurate with the level of all Princess ships.

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