Diamond Princess Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We travelled as a family of four (two teenage daughters) on the Diamond Princess that left Singapore on 29 Nov 16 for a 10 day cruise to Koto Kinabalu (Malaysia), Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Bangkok and Ko Samui (Thailand). Embarkation was efficient and it wasn't long before we were in our stateroom.
Princess allow you to take on board one bottle of wine or champagne per adult at no charge which we carried on with us. You can take on more and pay $15USD per bottle (which we didn't do). I pre-paid for some beer (pay for 4 and receive 5) and a 12 pack of bottled water before the trip which were delivered to our cabin upon request. A 15%USD gratuity is added to every bar purchase. Wine (very drinkable) by the glass started at $7USD+15%, bottles started at $32USD +15%. Cocktails were around $8.98 USD+15%. Beer (Heinekin, Bud, $5.95+15% (they ran out of quite a few lines towards the end of the cruise - about 55% of patrons were Aussies). Spirits started at $6.25 (Chivas Regal). We decided not to buy the alcohol drinks package before we left and were happy with our decision. We met a person who pre-bought a package for $79 AUD/per day who was not pleased with his decision. They wouldn't give him more than one drink at a time so he couldn't take a couple back to his room to have on his balcony. You can purchase a drinks package on board for $49.95 USD/day. One of our daughters had the soda package which worked out well. The cruise had happy hour afternoons 3 - 4 in the wheelhouse bar with the second of the same drink cost $1. You can keep the lid on beer bottles and take them with you. Definitely good value!
We opted for Anytime Dining and we were pleased that we did. We were able to dine (all inclusive in the price) at the Savoy (best), Santa Fe and Pacific Moon dining rooms, or Vivaldi after 7.30 (which we didnt' do). Overall, we found the food and service excellent... And we liked being able to leave our unfinished wine at the restaurant for another night or take it with you. We had the Horizen Court buffet or pizza or burger and fries (all free) for lunch. We dined at the Intrnational Dining room (free) for breakfast most days, but had to eat at the buffet for some before cruise excursions and on disembarkation day. We came across quite a few people who asked us whether the dining rooms were free - the ones I have mentioned all are. There are a few that you have to pay extra for which we didn't dine at.
Cabin Review
Oceanview
We booked the cruise close to the sailing date and so not a lot of choice of rooms, ending up with an ocean view room on Plaza Deck 5 below the casino (which wasn't noisy or an issue). On the second day the vanity sink wasn't draining which was quickly fixed. Towards the end of the cruise a knocking sound kept us awake, which we reported but it was not fixed. Otherwise the stateroom was lovely. There were 7 drawers, 5-6 shelves, lots of hanging space for clothes as well has hangers and our suitcases. Our cabin steward was lovely. Take a US power adapter and a 3 or 4 outlet power board for your room to charge your devices. The hairdryer was fine. The location ended up being pretty good as we were in walking distance to dining rooms, casino, theatre and atrium and service counters. A nearby lift quickly took us up the 10 flights to deck 15 to the Lotus Spa, gym and top level of the pool area.
Port Reviews
Singapore
We didn't take an excursion in Singapore as we boarded there. We stayed one night in Singapore before our cruise and wish we had stayed longer. It is a beautiful city, lot's to see and do, friendly, safe, green and clean!