First Time on Princess

We chose this ship for the Itinerary as we hadnt been to New Zealand for a long time, especially the South Island.

Boarding was a breeze due to our Platinum status gained from sailing with P and O UK and Aus. We were on in about 10 minutes.

The ship is very nice with great and numerous entertaining areas and bars. We particularly liked Crooners, Wheelhouse Bar, Club Fusion and Explorers and drinks and canapes in the Skywalkers bar for Elite members from 5-7pm.

We found the lack of a forward facing lounge area with views ahead especially during the cool and rough weather we had on our sea days. This area is taken up by the Princess theatre, the Solarium and the gym, what a waste. Skywalkers had nice aft views but we really missed our forward facing lounge. B+

Our cabin a minisuite on Deck 9 Dolphin deck, was just aft of the aft lifts and stairs so in a very convenient position. However, when at anchor when tendering the noise and vibration from the engines keeping the ship steady was really awful and it was impossible to stay in our cabin. It wasnt noticeable midships or aft on higher levels. This cabin also had some toilet issues, as we had a toilet that flushed several times rather than once and got noxious smells everyday at some time. B-

Dining - we chose anytime dining and were seated in Michelangelos restaurant. We also tried Da Vincis one night and that seemed calmer and less busy. Food was good, with the last formal night dinner being excellent, otherwise just average.

We really enjoyed the International Cafe for light breakfasts and lunches, but found the buffet in Horizon Court and Caribe Cafe a bun fight. Badly laid out so full of people in tiny areas all trying to access a small area with the food they wanted. Chaos reined, We went early or late. Dining B+

We tried Crown Grill, Share by Curtis Stone, the Salty Dog at the Wheelhouse and enjoyed all three very much with excellent food and service. A+

Entertainment was only just passable with some of the singing and dancing shows laughable except for one. B-

There was a singer John Bowley that everyone liked who was on two nights but we didnt think he was worth another night. There was a lady singing Dusty Springfield who was good and Elton Jack who was fabulous.B+

The ships band was very good. Cory Simon the Piano lounge entertainer was the best entertainer on the ship, and Liquid Blue the band were also excellent. A-

We found the activites during the sea days very boring and based around selling, trivia, art auctions and talks, make up talks and tips, acupuncture, discussions on poor digestion, stress and acute pain - THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT!!!! We dont think so and neither did lots of others. Entertainment D-

CD was very funny and entertaining but this was his last cruise.

Service - both our cabin attendant and most of the staff in restaurants, the International Cafe and bars were excellent. A +

All ports were fabulous and we enjoyed visiting them as they were small towns, with lovely shopping, cafes and very friendly people. A+

We didnt do any shore excursions so cant comment, but what we saw compared to what we booked ourselves was wildly overpriced.

Overall a very enjoyable cruise to New Zealand, but we would have to think before we chose Princess again.