This was my 8th cruise with Princess, and most likely will be my last. I first sailed on the Island Princess 9 years ago to Alaska and the experience was so wonderful I had since become a habitual cruiser. However, in the past 9 years the guest experience has dramatically grown worse.

1) The on board ship activities have pretty much become activities you would see in a children's summer camp; origami box and flower classes,mask making, ring toss. The number of cultural lectures and variety and schedule of entertainment activities such as musical acts, show excerpts from the singers and dancers and other variety acts has drastically diminished. There was a virtual skeet shoot booth, but when I went there as per the schedule the door was locked. But if you like trivia, it is available almost all the time

2) We have always loved the afternoon tea. On this trip you wouldn't even know there was a tea if you weren't a previous participant. Only mention was in the schedule for the dining room. Nothing in the Princess patter. There also used to be entertainment provided with the tea. This cruise there was no entertainment and never more than a dozen participants. Read more