Embarkation in Florida was the usual nightmare. The ship decor is lovely and the staff as attentive as usual. The promenade deck misses the mark - no way to make a full circuit of the ship on deck. Fewer menu selections create more of a challenge for those with dietary issues. I am lactose intolerant and found that many menu items include cheese, yogurt or cream sauces. While the wait staff made every effort to help including having some dishes modified this was not always successful. The Lido Dinning lists salt free, sugar free and gluten free dishes but no indication of which item contain lactose. There seem to be fewer wait staff with increased duties which means longer dinning time.

My travel companion and I has enjoyed bridge on past cruises. Bridge was listed the first day of the cruise. When we asked at the Service desk about this we were told it was listed every day. We had all our copies of the Patter and it was not listed. There were only 2 decks of card supplied and no score sheets. Past cruises had day time music in the Piazza and Horse Races. This cruise did not. My travel companion looked forward to the chocolate covered donuts in the International Cafe. They were not offered on this cruise.

Some excursions were late, some description were not accurate and the Excursion Desk staff were not well informed. This ship seems to have more bar area. Princess seems to prefer encouraging alcohol consumption to providing a variety of activities.