Purchased a 9 nights/10 day cruise from Tokyo (Yokohama) to Hokkaido/Russia (Korsakov) departed on 17 August 2015, for my parents (their 80s birthday and their 50th wedding anniversary), myself and my daughter. I purchased the exactly same cruise for my in-laws last year and they had an excellent trip, so decided to do the same for my parents. We were two cabins and one was a mini-suite (Dolphin) and one was a balcony cabin (Baja). That was my second Princess cruise after more than 15 years (Alaska cruise).

I had a terrible experience with pre-sail Up-Sell department. As a repeat customer, I was offered to purchase an upgrade to Suite or Mini-suite. They accept only a phone request and I left a message. The next day, I received a call from Up-sell department indicating that a plenty of rooms were available and the lady referred the specific cabin numbers. As my computer was down at that time , I could not check the cabin locations thus said I would call back to confirm my Suite upgrade cabin in 5 mm and I did. I reached only voice mail. In the next 24 hours I left so many messages and contacted with Princess customer services but in vain. On the next day, when I stepped out for ladies for 3 mm, they left a message saying that Suite upgrade was no longer available. Then after 24 hours it was the same thing, no one picked up the phone and I kept leaving messages. Now is 21st century and I do not know why they operate such a way? Why they can communicate via e-mail or on-line system?

The cruise itself was fine, but since the cruise was sold out and completely packed, several issues we faced: we asked a room decoration to surprise my parents but they forgot, the room AC did not work and my parents slept in freezingly cold temperature, lightings and other room facilities were not functioning well, the room cleaning and service of my parents' room was not satisfactory (my room was OK), we were assigned to a dining room which was so far away from our cabins (and no direct connection). Princess theater's seat configurations were very strange (if someone sits in front of you, your views are obstructed). The shows were old-fashioned and cheaply made. Food was OK I liked Sabatini, but not Steak House. Senior staff are all long-serving officers and it shows that Princess treats their key staff very well and it was they who tried to address all issues I faced (Hotel Director, Maitre D') but their spirits are not trickled down to other staff members. Also the Custom procedures are terrible for non-Japanese guests but this is beyond Princess's control but be aware. Read more